90 Second Rule

When you feel an emotion rising up in you, is it coming from an outside source or from your own thoughts? One thing I tell myself and those I counsel is to truly feel the feeling that you are feeling, for only 90 seconds. Truly feel joy, happiness, anger, sadness, whatever emotion shows up “FEEL IT”. After 90 seconds, you are no longer feeling the feeling because of an emotional response, you are now creating that feeling from your thoughts and beliefs. Stop!!! Don’t stay caught up in the emotional loop. That is how you find yourself living in the known past or the predictable future. Live in the now. Feel the emotion of “NOW”! Not what has happened or what could happen. The only true reality is the present moment. The present moment is the reality that we need to base our emotional well-being on. Break the Emotional Loop 1)Identify the Emotional Response: How does it feel? Does it have a color, shape, or size? Where in your body do you feel this response? 2) Label/ Name the Emotion Emotions are Intense: Joy, Fear, Anger, Enthusiasm, and Attraction. Simple terms to ask yourself do I feel mad, sad, glad, afraid, or ashamed? 3) Feel the Feeling Feelings like happiness, worry, contentment, bitterness, and love, are all side effects of the more intense emotion of joy, fear, anger, enthusiasm, and attraction. Allow the emotion to happen without judgment for 90 seconds. Feel the feeling fully for 90 seconds then release it. Let it Go!