Challenge Your Perspectives

When I was a young girl, my sister and I used to visit an aunt who had a swimming pool. It was always a treat, as all we had was a small, kiddie pool and sprinkler at home. One summer, we even got to spend a whole week at my aunt's, and we got as red as lobsters, as we were in the water every available minute.

One of our favorite things to do was to make a whirlpool. If you've never done it ? you've missed out! Seriously, though, it seems to me now to be a lesson about the ability one has to make choices around emotions.

You see, the purpose, in our eyes, was to go round and round and round?getting the water to "follow" us. What eventually would happen is that the water current would get so strong, we wouldn't have to work at it any more. As a matter of fact, not only would we not have to work at it, it would carry us along. It was difficult, if not impossible, to resist being carried in the direction it was going in.

By the time it got to that point, we'd decide that we would want to make it go the other way. Often, especially in the beginning, we would have to quite literally hold onto the side of the pool to get ourselves to go in the opposite direction. At first it was difficult, but it got easier and easier, the more we did it. Eventually, you probably guessed it, we would be carried away by the water going the opposite way.

Funny thing about this exercise?we thought it was FUN! Apparently, according to my aunt, it was a good thing we did, as it would stir up any debris, and help to clean the pool. Can you imagine how it might have been, if we thought we were doing WORK? Yuck! The experience would have been all together different. It would have seemed difficult and like a chore instead of a challenge and fun.

Interestingly, in a metaphysical sense, water is related to our emotions. I tell you this because I find it adds an interesting dimension to the lesson I have uncovered.

In my work as a StressBusterBuddy, people are often confronted by what is going on in their life. Oftentimes, it is because these people are caught up in the emotion that they are feeling. Perhaps you see where this is going?

Just in the very same way my sister and I were caught up in the whirlpool, with very little choice but to be carried away, or fight it, these people are caught up in their emotions. The problem is, if there is one, is that the strength of the pull is so strong, that they don't even realize that they can grab onto "the side of the pool" (another way of putting that is to be determined) to help themselves go in a different direction in regard to what they are feeling.

So often I have heard someone ask what they can do, only to receive a response that is similar to, and feels like, "I can't do that." I know how it feels, I have been there, too. I used to be (and occasionally still am) carried away by my emotions. If I was down, well, how the heck was I going to be anything else?! If anyone tried to help me out of it, I certainly wasn't going to let them. Of course, it wasn't a CONSCIOUS choice on my part. I just wasn't aware that I had an option.

Plus, I have often heard you have to allow yourself to feel what you're feeling. I wouldn't disagree, but I think in the midst of it all is a very important question: how long will you let yourself continue to go in a direction that is not suited to what you want, and who you want to be?

What I have come to realize is that as my thoughts go, there, too, go I. At first I seemed to control the water, but then it seemed like the water controlled me - that is, while I let it. In very much the same way my thoughts seem to control my emotions, until my emotions seem to control my thoughts - that is, while I them.

The fact is that I very much had control of the water, as long as I CHOSE it. In very much the same way, I have control of my thoughts, and ultimately my emotions, as long as I CHOOSE it. It may seem that I have to work very hard to get myself out of whatever it is that I am feeling, but in much the same way that I saw something that cleaned the pool as fun, I can also choose to look at what I am doing in a way that is in some way empowering, maybe even pleasurable.

Is this easy? Ha! I can almost here you say. Well, I am not saying that it is easy OR difficult. What I am saying is that the cool thing is that it is...up to YOU.

Essa has a varied, non-judgmental, and fun approach to the work she does as a StressBusterBuddy. She is an author, publisher of a mindful meditation CD, and a Hypnotist. Anyone stressed would benefit from Essa's soothing voice, style, and stressbusting techniques. To learn more about Essa, her CD, or to listen to her online recordings, visit http://www.StopKickingYourself.com or call 212.560.7582 (where you can also hear a 3-minute Relieve Stress Recording ? only local, toll, or long distance charges apply).

---

What Every Employee Should Know About Looking Beyond His Attitude

Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More

We All Send Signals

Think for a moment about all of the signals people... Read More

Simplifying Simple

I have a 440-page guide on how to simplify my... Read More

11 Great Ways to be Positive about Change

Look for the positives!Seek them out - those little scary... Read More

Are You A Victim Of FABS? Part One

Have you heard of the FABS? The FABS are quadruplets;... Read More

Mindfulness: Youre Soaking In It!

Looking for a bit more mindfulness in your daily life?... Read More

Moving? Pack an Emotional First Aid Kit

From Making the Big Move: how to transform relocation into... Read More

Courtesy In The Workplace -- Can You Say, Thank You?

Thank you is such a beautiful phrase. When you say,... Read More

How Attitude is Everything

"Most overnight successes are just plain lucky. Just ask any... Read More

The Enchanted Cottage

Decades ago, I saw a metaphysical movie that wonderfully illustrates... Read More

Tips on Boosting Your Self-Confidence

How you feel about yourself truly does affect your interaction... Read More

Looking For Answers In All The Wrong Places?

Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More

Firewords: A Dangerous Necessity in Your Life?

There are many stories of people injuring themselves, and others,... Read More

Negative Thoughts to Positive Thoughts

Changing Negative Thoughts into Positive Thoughts is a key lesson... Read More

Potency

No, not that kind.Power and potential are synonymous. Your ultimate... Read More

The Difference Between the Curmudgeons and the Serene

Have you ever noticed how many unhappy people there are... Read More

Start Living Your Dreams Today With a Positive Attitude

"Those people who think they can do something and those... Read More

Reality Exposed

Did you know that our thoughts may be influencing our... Read More

Knowing the Power of Positive Thinking

In the self-help and wellness industry, a mission has been... Read More

Think Positive: Using Affirmations to Create Health, Wealth and Beauty

You've heard the buzzwords: Attitude is everything! Change your perspective!... Read More

Find Your Inner Strength to Tackle Any Challenge

Everyone faces challenges during their life, from suffering the death... Read More

The Trouble with the Mind

Bernard always had a problem with money.He was always lacking... Read More

The Power of a Positive Attitude

You wake up in the morning sleepy and fatigued; the... Read More

Financial Abundance And Peace Of Mind Are One!

There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More

Universal Thought Systems/Forgiveness

Philosophy of Forgiveness:The most powerful tool that human beings possess... Read More

The Power of Negative Thinking

For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More

Watch Your Mouth

Ever had one of those mothers, or grandmothers, who would... Read More

How to Get Rid of Frustration and Self-Pity

I've yet to meet the person who never struggles with... Read More

Learning To Embrace Change

The only constant is change. If theres one thing we... Read More

Turning Fear Into Power

How would your life shift if you moved into what... Read More

How To Reduce Anxiety When Affirmations Dont Work

Have you ever read that you should think positively when... Read More

Combat Your Bad Days

No matter how positive a person we are overall, there... Read More

Are You Inviting Misery into Your Life?

Often, I've come across individuals who, while in conversation, will... Read More