1.7 (C) How We React
How We React:
We can’t change a person, and we can’t change a challenging situation. We don’t have control of any of that.
What we DO have control over, is how WE react, to whatever comes our way. We do have a choice. Remember in the last section, it was stated that the mind will remember how we reacted to any given situation in our life. For example, we can react so dramatically, that even something trivial, can be seen as traumatic, in the minds eye. It’s all about how dramatically we react to any given experience.
It is also important to realize, how we are feeling, both physically and emotionally, when challenges come our way. Physical and emotional responses are tied together. When one is affected, so is the other. So, if something happens, and the emotional response is “anger”, physically, you can expect your blood pressure to elevate, the body to tense, and an increase in heart rate. Both emotional and physical responses will affect our body and mind.
Let's look at it another way. Say, you stub your toe. Your immediate physical response may be hopping around, along with an immediate change of breathing pattern to deal with the pain. But, what happens to us emotionally? I know when I have stubbed my toe in the past, my immediate emotional reaction has been anger towards myself, and that I was "stupid" for allowing this to happen. This says something about our character, and again, why it is important to notice HOW you react. This allows us to not only recognize what certain situations do to us, both physically and emotionally, but it can also give a bit of insight on what we think of ourselves on a deeper level.
All this knowledge, can give us a better understanding of who we are, which opens the door for us to learn more about ourselves. When we can tie together this knowledge, with a bit of understanding and acceptance, makes for a better platform to get through difficulties, and life a little easier.
These next exercises, will help bring awareness to how you react to feelings about yourself, others, and situations. Once you become aware of HOW you react, we can use that knowledge to further train the mind on how to deal with upcoming negative experiences.
Let’s first concentrate on what you think of yourself, others and challenging situations…
Now with all three of these exercises, and as I stated earlier, please note that it is normal to feel emotions, like sadness and anger, especially when someone you care about is sick, or when someone is very mean to you. But, it is NOT ok to let these emotions run so deep that they keep you from functioning your day to day activities.
There is a beautiful George Orwell quote stating, “Happiness can only exist in acceptance”, we can’t be truly happy when we are constantly fighting something. We can choose to let go, or we can choose to let this “something” eat us up. This is the choice that we must ultimately make, and therefore, live with.
From the above three, (accepting yourself, others, or situations), which one do you need to work on the most? (Write this in your journal) This awareness will bring more focus to where some of your anxieties may be hiding. (with yourself, with others, with situations)
We can’t change a person, and we can’t change a challenging situation. We don’t have control of any of that.
What we DO have control over, is how WE react, to whatever comes our way. We do have a choice. Remember in the last section, it was stated that the mind will remember how we reacted to any given situation in our life. For example, we can react so dramatically, that even something trivial, can be seen as traumatic, in the minds eye. It’s all about how dramatically we react to any given experience.
It is also important to realize, how we are feeling, both physically and emotionally, when challenges come our way. Physical and emotional responses are tied together. When one is affected, so is the other. So, if something happens, and the emotional response is “anger”, physically, you can expect your blood pressure to elevate, the body to tense, and an increase in heart rate. Both emotional and physical responses will affect our body and mind.
Let's look at it another way. Say, you stub your toe. Your immediate physical response may be hopping around, along with an immediate change of breathing pattern to deal with the pain. But, what happens to us emotionally? I know when I have stubbed my toe in the past, my immediate emotional reaction has been anger towards myself, and that I was "stupid" for allowing this to happen. This says something about our character, and again, why it is important to notice HOW you react. This allows us to not only recognize what certain situations do to us, both physically and emotionally, but it can also give a bit of insight on what we think of ourselves on a deeper level.
All this knowledge, can give us a better understanding of who we are, which opens the door for us to learn more about ourselves. When we can tie together this knowledge, with a bit of understanding and acceptance, makes for a better platform to get through difficulties, and life a little easier.
These next exercises, will help bring awareness to how you react to feelings about yourself, others, and situations. Once you become aware of HOW you react, we can use that knowledge to further train the mind on how to deal with upcoming negative experiences.
Let’s first concentrate on what you think of yourself, others and challenging situations…
Now with all three of these exercises, and as I stated earlier, please note that it is normal to feel emotions, like sadness and anger, especially when someone you care about is sick, or when someone is very mean to you. But, it is NOT ok to let these emotions run so deep that they keep you from functioning your day to day activities.
There is a beautiful George Orwell quote stating, “Happiness can only exist in acceptance”, we can’t be truly happy when we are constantly fighting something. We can choose to let go, or we can choose to let this “something” eat us up. This is the choice that we must ultimately make, and therefore, live with.
From the above three, (accepting yourself, others, or situations), which one do you need to work on the most? (Write this in your journal) This awareness will bring more focus to where some of your anxieties may be hiding. (with yourself, with others, with situations)