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Do you have a spiritual-religious question?

Soon, the 77% Weekly will feature a new column: Ask R.Abbi.

If you have a question that you would like R.Abbi to answer, please e-mail: R.Abbi@rotb.org

A person with Paranoid Personality Disorder thinks the world is out to do them harm. An online diagnosis suggests that someone has this disorder if four (or more) of the following are met:

• suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her.
• is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates.
• is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her.
• reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events.
• persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights.
• perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack.
• has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner.

It is a serious disorder.

I want to explore something related, yet completely different: the Dionarap Personality.

Dionarap Personality is the opposite of Paranoid Personality. To experience it is to believe that the universe conspires to care about you.

(Dionarap is actually the word paranoid spelled backwards.)

A person suffering from a Dionarap Personality believes the world is plotting to do them good!

It is not a serious disorder.

(Jack Canfield, in his book The Success Principles, refers to this same condition as “reserve paranoia.” The movies What the Bleep! and The Secret also espouse the benefits of such positive thinking.)

Imagine for a moment that you have a Dionarap Personality and try this psychosis on for size:

• Can you believe that everything is for the best?
• Can you believe that the world is out to do you good?
• Can you fathom that everything you do that everyone you meet are part of a grand scheme to better your life?

For some people this notion will seem an anathema . . . nonetheless, I recommend that you try it.

• Suspect, without sufficient basis, that others are helping, aiding, or loving you.
• Be preoccupied with unjustified beliefs about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates.
• Be willing to confide in others because of unwarranted faith that the information will be used to help you.
• Read hidden positive or loving meanings into benign remarks or events.
• Persistently forgive, i.e., be understanding of insults, injuries, or slights.
• Perceive compliments to your character or reputation that are not apparent to others and be quick to react lovingly.
• Have recurrent admiration, without justification, regarding a spouse or sexual partner.

Try it for a few hours, for the rest of the day, or if you dare, the rest of the week?

Some might call this is a little lesson in having faith.

And, perhaps it is.

With love,

Rabbi Brian

And, if you care to, click here to see comments on the streetprophets site where this article went up last week.