Why this word causes such a reaction is explainable, how to conquer this phobia has me at a loss. What is this word that has me so knotted up, so troubled? It is a simple, common, everyday word. The word is “we”. Silly huh? Let me explain.

It has been my experience that when this word is used towards me, it is not meant as an inclusion of you and me, but as a substitute of “you”. The “we” word is usually followed by a task to accomplish. The "we task" is somehow, a "me task", it is not a joint task.

Furthermore, if the "we task" is not completed, I am reprimanded for not doing it when I was told it needed to be done. I know this; I have experienced it too many times not to understand that we means me. Yet I still want to believe that "we" is a joint word, an inclusion of you and me.

Other words such as "help me", cause the same affect. When I am approach with "Will you help me…?" my mind goes into autopilot, "Blah, blah, blah, what do I have to do for you now?" You see, "help me" does not mean "assist with", but "do for me". And again, if not completed, I am to blame.

So, why do I resent these words so much, why do I cringe when I hear them and why do I become negative about the tasks? I can even answer these questions, I feel manipulated with these words and they are sales pitch words, words when used this way, become tactical.

So, there you have it. Now what do I do about it?