| Blocks are energies, things, patterns, and behaviors | | | | problems such as: headaches, muscle, back and joint |
| that get in the way and prevent you from fulfilling | | | | pain, cancer, lupus, fibromyalgia, arthritis, high blood |
| your true potential. A pattern is a blueprint that your | | | | pressure, heart problems, etc. Despite this level of |
| mind uses over and over again-minute to minute, | | | | hostility and negativity, the behavior pattern can be |
| hourly, daily, thus unwittingly creating your life and | | | | changed by examining your thinking pattern, also |
| your health. We spend years living within the prison | | | | known as self-talk. |
| of our patterns because it feels safe, familiar, and | | | | A continual, silent conversation with yourself is a |
| secure. You probably have not heard anyone say, "I | | | | completely normal phenomenon. Emotional upset is |
| want to live an unsatisfying life." Yet, that is what | | | | caused by our beliefs and silent self-talk-statements |
| the majority of people unwittingly do, because they | | | | regarding events and situations rather than the actual |
| do not know how to step out of indoctrinations, | | | | event and situation. Most people are not aware of |
| patterns and habits. | | | | the components that make up their dialogue. These |
| You can be a happy, content and confident person | | | | components are made up of two basic ideas of |
| who is able to achieve your goals-both personal and | | | | either irrational (illogical) or rational (logical) beliefs or |
| professional. But the methods you use to manage | | | | self-talk statements. A person may conclude to |
| your feelings prevent you from fulfilling your desires. | | | | themselves, "I can't stand this," after an interaction |
| Misconceptions and mismanagement of your | | | | with a disobedient child or a spouse. "Irrational beliefs |
| emotions is the state of affairs when your feelings | | | | intensify our emotional state and lead to increased |
| dictate your thoughts and actions, causing conflict, | | | | anxiety, anger and depression as well as maladaptive |
| depression, anxiety and negativity. When your | | | | behavior. Our irrational beliefs sap our emotional and |
| emotions run the show, you experience problems, | | | | physical energy, and hinder us from finding creative |
| hopelessness and difficulty in relationships. Emotions | | | | solutions to situations. |
| are complex with mental, physical and behavioral | | | | If you respond to frustrating situations with a rational |
| components. The basic feelings that drive emotional | | | | self-talk statement, the conversation changes to: "I |
| reactions are fear, anger, sadness and joy. These | | | | wish this situation did not occur, but I will move on." |
| feelings are affected by your ideas about them and | | | | Or "Just because this person is acting this way does |
| how you respond to these emotions with your | | | | not mean I have to be upset." These examples allow |
| behavior, including your ability to manage stress and | | | | you to remain in control and avoid anger, depression |
| frustration. | | | | or helplessness. When you examine your thinking |
| Your ability to manage unpleasant emotions is a | | | | patterns for the triggers to your irrational beliefs and |
| necessary skill to achieve success in any aspect of | | | | statements you are able to maintain emotional |
| your life and to maintain your emotional and physical | | | | stability, calmness and nurture habits of more positive |
| health. Do you have difficulty managing your anger? | | | | responses. The result is to avoid blaming others and |
| If so, you might become irritated easily, and become | | | | avoid seeking control of the situation and others. |
| known as a 'hot head' because of your tendency to | | | | The process of examining your belief statements is |
| lose your temper. A person who becomes angry | | | | not difficult, but it does take practice. The motivation |
| easily will often 'act out' toward others with | | | | for doing so is a desire to maintain a more calm, |
| accusations, and blame others for their problems. The | | | | positive, pleasant experience and create peace of |
| tirade may develop into threats and verbal abuse. | | | | mind, despite the events going on around you. The |
| Angry speech is often the precursor for other forms | | | | benefits will be felt in increased confidence of |
| of violence, such as throwing things, destroying | | | | meeting challenges, and more emotional and physical |
| property and assaults. A person who is continually | | | | energy to manage responsibilities in your life. |
| angry may become depressed and experience health | | | | |