START WHERE YOU ARE – PART 2 0F 4: EMOTIONAL PILLAR

Examine how you think? Are you the glass is half full or the glass is half empty kind of person? Examine what feelings are linked to your thoughts and the resultant action you choose.

THOUGHT + EMOTION/FEELING >> ACTION; an emotionally healthy person is able to monitor and adjust their thoughts and feelings. This allows them to act and/or choose behaviors that enhance their health.

you’ve heard it before: “Change your mindset”

If you have been doing the same thing, and getting the same result, perhaps it is time for a change. The same is true about how you think. If you have been thinking negatively or believing that there is not enough (paucity mindset), things will continue to be negative and there will never be enough. You have also heard “you are what you eat“, well, “you are also what you think“.

What you focus your energy and your mind on, you become.

what are you thinking & what are you Focused on?

No one behaves perfectly all the time; however, you learn to assess whether your thoughts are grounded in reality and monitor your emotional response to allow you to make healthy choices more often than not. I am guilty of allowing negative thoughts derail me and we are emotionally vulnerable, especially when we are hungry, angry, feeling lonely or tired (H.A.L.T).

FIND THE ANCHOR THAT WORKS FOR YOU

Your anchor is that thought or belief that will keep you afloat and going when things get rocky, when you are having a not so good day, or when it feels like the whole world is against you. Make it positive, write it down, believe it, memorize it, and repeat it until it becomes like breathing; thus, when you need it, it is readily available.

EXAMPLES OF ANCHORS: disclaimer-my anchors are religious; therefore, if you do not believe in God, please feel free to create your own.

your anchor must be strong enough to keep you grounded

• I am good enough because I am a child of God
• I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me
• Fear not, for I am with you always
• This too shall pass
• I am beautiful and courageous
• I am worthy of all success
• I am healthy, I am happy, I am blessed
• What are you trying to teach me Lord?

MAKE SURE YOUR FUNDAMENTALS ARE STURDY

I don’t know why bad things happen, I do know that when your anchor is built with the right material, you will find the strength and the courage to persevere.

• Learn the art of acceptance
• Find the meaning in your loss, rejection, or trauma
• Nurture your self-esteem (treat yourself with love and compassion)
• Understand that your worth is not defined by others
• Be careful not to let guilt and/or shame destroy your foundation
• Be considerate and respectful of others
• Make sure to have solid friends
• Know your purpose (Ikigai)
• Know your emotional triggers and have your bag of healthy habits to combat them
• Know when to ask for help

No one is happy all the time and being emotionally healthy does not mean you won’t have days when you get upset and feel unhappy. Being emotionally healthy is learning to put things into perspective, finding the balance between the things you can change and the things you must accept gracefully, and creating healthier solutions for the things you can change.