Blankey as in Security Blankey. OK? All parents know what this is. Sometimes its an actual blankey, or it may be a pillow, a doll or some other favorite toy or scrap of material. Its the thing that provides a measure of security to developing young minds in a sometimes scary new world. Its the thing the little ones sleep with, eat with, and lug around until it becomes almost unrecognizable. God forbid that we should ever misplace our blankey. It would be absolutely impossible to live without it!

But then we grow taller and get older. We mature and no longer have a need for our once dearly loved blankey.

Right

If you believe that last statement, I have some prime hillside property in Tennessee I can make you such a deal on! I know, I know very few of us are still hauling around the old tattered blanket or Mrs. Beasley doll from our youth. Wed get more weird looks than any of us could probably handle. However, Id bet at least a nickel or two that every single one of us is the proud possessor of some kind of blankey. And yes, in some cases it may still be some kind of object only now, since were adults and obviously more mature its more likely our lucky charm/shirt/shoes/penny/key ring/hat/rock/you name it. Its the thing that provides that little extra level of security and comfort in a still scary world.

No, of course theres nothing wrong with carrying a lucky whatever around with us. Well, up to a certain point that is. If we go to extremes and refuse to even leave the house without it for fear that well be hit by an eighteen-wheeler, we really should be seeking some professional counseling. But you knew that already, didnt you?

Frequently, our adult blankey is not a physical object. It often comes in the form of a personal belief system. Its a concept a focus that we rely on to act as our haven from the storms of life. Our security in yes, a still scary world. Frequently, our adult blankey is based upon our religious or spiritual beliefs. Sometimes its part of our quest for development physically, mentally or emotionally. Unfortunately, it occasionally also can take the form of self-debilitating actions used to compensate for a perceived lack of adequacy in some part of ourselves.

Its obvious that (in reference to the last sentence) that an obsessive quest for power, money, attention, etc. is not necessarily in our best interests. And it should be apparent too, that a reasonable reliance on our religious or spiritual beliefs to carry us through life can be a good thing for us as can reasonable efforts toward any type of self-improvement.

The problem is that sometimes we carry things to an extreme. We become so over-focused on our blankey that we forget that theres a big blob of real world all around us. We cover our heads with our blankey and try to hide from the realities of life. And unfortunately, we frequently succeed.

Blankies are good. They can be comforting and can provide a foundation for our lives and for our personal development. They can also encase our minds, restrain our normal curiosities, and inhibit our ability to truly enjoy life. We need to be careful of that, I think