HOW TO STAY ON THE PATH TO WELLBEING Do your emotions get in the way? What happens when you find yourself REACTING to situations? Living a spiritual life and having a human experience is an arduous task. It gets very complicated when feelings get in the way!! I can have a great week – feel strong, connected, supportive and loving. When I am in this place it is easy not to take anything personally. I can take on a stressful personal situation and not get emotionally involved. In other words I am not weakened by the other persons’ drama. Instead I can reach out my arms for support, say a few kind or needed words – give courage and love and help the situation, help the other person feel better. But what of the times when I do not realize I feel weak and I find myself in a stressful situation? All of a sudden before I can process what is happening, my emotions react to the situation, my thoughts shift, everything appears to go downhill from there – I get caught up in the drama, am unable to express myself without getting muddled in the ‘feelings’ of it all; like being caught in a net! Don’t get me wrong I am not looking to squash my feelings. Part of the human experience is one of having feelings- intense emotions at times (sometimes many times) and I AM human! I feel – but I am not what I feel. My feelings at that moment do not define me! My feelings are a barometer of my state at that time. I do not suggest that I am in control of these emotions. However, I do not want to be controlled by them either! SO HOW DO I STAY ON THE PATH OF WELLBEING? I practice the following important tips and healthy habits. IMPORTANT TIPS ON AWAKENING THE WITNESS 1. Take a moment and breath Stop. Take a few deep and calming breaths. Stop thinking. This helps to stop fuelling the wave of emotions, which in turn feeds the mind chatter. Awareness that you need to make a change is important. That you are co-creating the negativity is key to taking responsibility. This will allow for change to occur. Finding this space allows for the witness to appear, when you set aside your ego. 2. Find time alone Sit quietly in silence or remove yourself from the situation. Sometimes fresh air and a walk are needed. If I am a tightly wound ball of emotions I am not in a position to make a decision – to speak – because my thoughts are muddled. Again Awareness is the first and most important step! Then I can begin to step aside, so to speak, and find the observer. My compassionate spirit clear and present in the moment is what I strive to identify with. Creating healthy life long changes The more often I can practice all that is good for me – meditation, affirmations, exercise, awareness, nutrition, speaking through love etc…. the less often I get lost in my emotions (and when I do) and the quicker I can connect with the witness and come back to a place of strength. There are abundant tools about us that can help us create and stay on the path of wellbeing. I have named but a few and will continue to explore these and other tools I have incorporated into my life. May you be well!