“Nothing external to you has any power over you.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Most folks are on an emotional roller coaster. They get sucked into the drama of the office, neighborhood, PTA, church, civic club, and most intensely, by family relationships.  When things don’t go the way we expect or want, that is the exact time to be in control of our emotions.

I always try to keep things in the center of the highway concerning my emotions.  I have learned the hard way that allowing my emotions to run free has put my ”muscle car” in the ditch on the side of the road; either the “blissful, waterfalls and rainbows” ditch or the “frustrated, angry and fearful” ditch.

Will Ross, in his book, A Guide to Shameless Happiness, gives some great tips on tuning-up your Emotional Health cylinder.  When you find yourself starting on the emotional roller coaster ask yourself this question:

Where is the proof?

As in, “Where is the proof that I can’t stand this situation?” or “Where is the proof that its’ awful – more than 100% bad?” or “Where’s the proof that this is the end of the world?”

Humans tend to exaggerate when our emotions run wild, we use words like “everything”, “nothing”, “always”, and “never.”  If you find yourself using this verbiage, red flag yourself, your emotional health cylinder needs attention.  Ask yourself, “Where is the proof that so-and-so always or never does this or that?”

Whatever happens in life, whatever drama or disappointments, or even whatever pipe-dream like success, you are the only one that can control your reaction(s).  No one else can make you feel and react in any particular way.  No one can “push your buttons” without your permission.

You aren’t going to get control of your emotions reading a 3-minute blog post but the Mental Toughness process can get you there.  If you feel like your life is out of control, and you feel helpless to right the ship, get in contact with me.  We’ve got a long track record of helping folks get their lives running on all 8-cylinders.

Boo Yah!