The same word can serve two or more masters without creating problems

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"The dog is barking."

"The bark of the tree is rough."

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We rarely confuse these two meanings of "bark."

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Confusing word: confused

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Other words, however, cannot claim that their meanings are consistently held distinct.

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One such word is "confused," the meaning of which is often ambiguous, most commonly without our awareness. This causes immense mischief.

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Are you clear about the differences in meaning between being "unclear" and being "confused"?

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Confused can mean either "unclear" or "indecisive because of resisted fear."

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Unclear

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When you're clear that you're unclear, there is no problem. You can do what you can do or are willing to do to get clear. Or you can leave it alone and be okay with not knowing what you don't know.

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Confused: indecisive because of resisted fear

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"I'm confused about whether to go to Harvard or Yale," Most likely you mean, "Whichever one I decide on, I'm frightened it'll be a mistake and I will have wished I had chosen the other." This dilemma is not an issue of getting more clear about the pros and cons of the options. It's about accepting the risk of "making a mistake" and being willing to choose the courage to embrace that risk and feel good about yourself however it turns out.

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Different meanings call for different actions

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If you are unclear, then you can ask yourself, "What additional information might I need in order to be clear so that I can make a better choice regarding this?"

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If you are confused, you can ask yourself, "What am I frightened of here? Am I willing to choose courage and feel great about myself regardless of how it turns out?"

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