I have to admit that I struggle with what most would call emotional health. Beginning with my journey of recovery in 2002, I’ve started learning what emotionally healthy is really like and some tools to help achieve positive emotional health.
Many of my emotionally-unhealthy thoughts occur when I first wake up. The stampede of thoughts come rushing in and many times act as though they’re wanting to stay for the day. Left to my own devices, I might lay there for an hour or two, wallowing in those feelings. But such is not productive and I’ve learned not to let those emotional thoughts rule the day.
I have read and reread and listened to a book by Dr. David Hawkins entitled “Letting Go.” And when I feel my emotional self taking over, I remember the techniques he share in the book about letting them go.
The first step is to recognize the feelings for what they are,,,just feelings. Then I continue to let them rise to the surface without pushing them away. I have learned that our emotions are products of thoughts we’re having. Instead of focusing on the thoughts that produced the emotions, I should focus on the emotions themselves. I need to let the emotions arise without trying to do anything to judge them or change them. In other words, let them run their course.
Such was the case this morning when I woke up. I felt touches of guilt and shame making their way into my mind. Instead of repressing or suppressing them, I let them be, recognizing them for what they were – just thoughts. Pretty soon I found the emotions were starting to lift and I could get on with my day.
The thoughts and emotions may work themselves back into my mind later in the day and if they do, I ‘ll repeat the procedure. It seems to work very well. Although I may never be completely rid of the negative emotions, they at least don’t have the hold they did on my life at one time.
David Lee
David Lee 