Goodbye Sudden Moodswings: Hello Stability, Peace & Life, Part 2
“We must make our homes centers of compassion and forgiveness.” Mother Theresa
The SIXTH STEP : Ask for names of excellent psychologists or social workers with whom you can meet. Why talk? Well, yes, it is good to give expression to your feelings. But, there is more. The value of talking with someone you trust and with whom you are comfortable is that you get to reclaim your power; that is, the power with which you were born.
The SEVENTH STEP: TALK AND LISTEN. In talk therapy, you discover many aspects of yourself that contribute to your feeling of a connection with a long lost friend. But, the additional value of talking to a psychotherapist is that you gain clarity as to what triggers cause you to suddenly shift your mood, as well as a variety of coping devices with which you were born and which you can employ at any time to help you regain a sense of control of your life. You also recognize that you have the power to release and replace the old taped messages from childhood that you have been playing unconsciously.
The EIGHTH STEP …Take time to become conscious of and to actively give thanks for all your blessings. Do this frequently throughout the day, taking nothing for granted. But, be sure to do this from your heart and not your head. Write them and say them aloud and you will feel better!
The NINTH STEP: Remember to harness the gift of your breath. As you take a few minutes throughout the day to focus on following your breath in and out, watching it carry peace and healing into cells in every part of you, while releasing all negativity, you release chemicals in your brain which contribute to your feeling more peaceful and relaxed.
The TENTH STEP: Acknowledge and release past grievances that are holding you back from healing; forgive yourself and others; stay in the Now. Say I forgive me for… and I forgive … for …. When you intentionally decide to release and surrender old hurts, pain and unresolved issues – for your sake and not for the other, you move into the Now where there is only peace.
The ELEVENTH STEP: Be compassionate, loving and kind to yourself and to others. SPEAK KINDLY TO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS. Words can hurt deeply!
The TWELFTH STEP: Find and follow your passion. Do what makes you happy.
The THIRTEENTH STEP: Pray, say Help me, please, to whomever your Higher Power may be. Help is always available but not often visible.
The FOURTEENTH STEP: See yourself as a VICTOR rather than a victim; see yourself walking through a tunnel and into the Light which is visible at the other end.
The FIFTEENTH STEP: Affirm to yourself frequently: I am getting through this, one moment at a time. I can manage this one minute at a time. I intend to be here for wonderful things and to have a good life. I am loved and I have hope.
The SIXTEENTH STEP: REMEMBER YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT OTHERS THINK, ONLY OVER YOURSELF! If someone uses you as a scapegoat for their own pain, do not take personally their words. It may be about them!
The SEVENTEENTH STEP: DO THE BEST YOU CAN!
Finally, ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE LESSONS IN EACH MOMENT of your experience, as this will enable you to see your experience from the Higher Part of your Self, the part that recognizes just how very powerful you are.
Susan Apollon
Author of “Touched By The Extraordinary”
Goodbye Sudden Moodswings: Hello Stability, Peace & Life Part 1
Goodbye Sudden Moodswings: Hello Stability, Peace & Life
“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Are you one of two million American adults who feel as though you are on an emotional rollercoaster and wish you could stop the ride, but are at a loss as to how to do that? Some of us are born with a chemical makeup that may need extra assistance in enabling us to live life with a greater sense of stability and peace.
Yes, you can feel good. You can even learn how to move from feelings of depression, sadness or intense anger to feelings of joy and peace, but in a more appropriately timed manner, rather than with suddenness that catches you by surprise!
The FIRST STEP: MAINTAIN THE HOPE THAT THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS AND LIFE WILL BE GOOD. Keep in mind that you are blessed to live in the 21st century in which science has developed new medications which have restored to millions a quality of life that would not have been possible a century ago.
The SECOND STEP: Recognize that you are a unique being, born with great potential and many gifts– and that all of this is absolutely perfect. Accept that this is one aspect of who you are – rather than pretending that this part of you belongs to someone else – because it does not! In fact, honor all aspects of who you are; own each with respect and admiration.
The THIRD STEP: Become aware of how your mood shifts affect you and your life. Become conscious of what triggers these shifts within you, and become even more aware of how you respond to them, including what you say to yourself when you notice you are shifting downward or upward and how you are behaving, as well as what you are feeling while you are shifting. This beginning phase of accepting and taking responsibility for becoming more conscious of what is taking place within you in response to your environment is a KEY STEP.
A FOURTH STEP and key piece of this equation: Visit your family doctor, just as you would with any physical issue which disturbs your daily quality of life. Let him or her know what you are experiencing, noticing, and becoming conscious of and how this is interfering with your quality of life.
A FIFTH STEP: Your Ask your doctor to recommend a psychiatrist for you to see – and not because you are crazy!!! But because you are lucky enough to live in a time when we have medications available that can restore a healthy chemical balance to your life. Remember, you are an amazing being who has much to do during this lifetime and, in order to do it, it is helpful to have a re-stabilization of your mood or a balancing of your chemicals.
Now, here’s the thing: If you do not feel comfortable with your psychiatrist, find another with whom you do feel comfortable. This is the doctor who will be suggesting medications for you to try until you find the right medication or combination of medications which can help you stabilize your mood. And be sure to be patient with this process. It usually takes time to determine just the right amounts of the medications that work best for you.
TO BE CONTINUED…Part 2
Susan Apollon
Author of “Touched By The Extraordinary”