Can strokes be placed in the context of economics?

I mean yes, because strokes have become a scarce resource in our individualised society.

First of all, by stroke I mean any kind of contact or relationship in which attention, recognition, care, love and appreciation are shared.

For example, when someone looks at you in a friendly way, notices you, smiles at you, touches you, hugs you or recognises your abilities, gives you feedback, applauds you or perhaps criticises you, frowns or nods at you, listens attentively to what you have to say. Strokes can therefore be given and received verbally and non-verbally, given conditionally and unconditionally.

They are essential for our lives. We need strokes to stay physically and mentally healthy. When people receive no or too few positive strokes, they look for substitutes, including negative strokes. I also include strokes that contain a ‘sting’ (hidden vulgarities) or dishonest strokes that are exaggerated, superficial and manipulative (Marshmallow Throwing).

The stroke economy was developed by Eric Berne (founder of transactional analysis).

Claude Steiner described it in a kind of fairy tale about a family that generously shared strokes of all kinds. Until they were told that strokes would become scarce and the withholding began...

Both defined in their Stroke Economy model the restrictive and limiting rules of our culture that put us in a deficit state and a spiral of scarcity.

Don't give strokes, even if you could give them

Don't ask for strokes if you want them

Do not accept strokes if you receive them

Don't refuse strokes, even if you don't like them

Do not give yourself strokes

Transforming these rules and beliefs into permissions frees us and opens us up to joy and creativity, enriches our relationships and gives us a feeling of fullness and being OK.

Against the backdrop of increasing mental, stress and environmental illnesses, how do you see the state of our current stroke economy?

I think an upturn is urgently needed. Let's invest generously in strokes rather than bitcoins. Strokes are limitlessly available, free and multiply when we exchange them.

The coming holidays are a highlight for your stroke economy.

Grab them and distribute them generously with heart, no matter how critical the eyes around you may look at you first.