If you are tired of feeling stuck, sad, anxious, or resentful, you are not alone. Our world is full of emotional pain, but the good news is, you do not have to stay in that disempowered place. In this article, I will share how you can begin to shift your paradigms and start your transformation today. If you prefer to watch instead of read, I’ve also shared this message in a video version of the blog you can check out here.
There are a lot of misunderstandings about what transformation means and how to elicit it. Contrary to what many believe, it is not something available to just a select few gifted or enlightened individuals. It also does not require a massive life overhaul or dramatic reinvention. It can start today with one small action, and build from there when you are intentional about your self-awareness, new habit formation and growth.
What Transformation Really Means
Transformation doesn’t require changing your identity so much that you don’t recognize yourself. It will involve honest reflection and habit building so that you can shift your thoughts and feel better.
Transformation involves:
- Self-reflection and awareness
- Intention
- Consistent habit-building
Lasting change doesn’t happen in leaps. True transformation can only take place when there is small, consistent action to shift something. Each action builds on the last, and compounds over time into a powerful new habit that supports you in a more desirable way of being.
Why Negative Emotions Stick Around
It seems to be an epidemic of heavy emotions these days. From grief and sadness to resentment and anxiety, many are embroiled in emotional trauma that weighs them down and makes it challenging to enjoy life. They have never been taught how.
All emotions are created by our thoughts. When you desire to feel differently, you must first recognize what thoughts have led to the current negative emotion you are feeling.
One caveat – Really dense, low frequency emotions such as anger or grief can actually become trapped in your body or auric layer (which is your personal energy field). This creates a lingering heaviness, even if you’re no longer thinking the thought that triggered it. If you recognize a heavy feeling that cannot be attributed to a thought you just had, I encourage you to elicit help from an energy master to dissipate that trapped emotion and you will notice an improvement within a couple of days.
This is just one benefit of being part of the Rising Tide Community. We host a group energy healing monthly. Because we are emotional beings, it is common to have trapped emotions and this enables you to deal with any blockages on a regular basis.
Your emotions are created by your thoughts and most of our thoughts are habitual. We think them automatically without realizing it. Most people who often feel sadness, anger or regret are in the habit of dwelling on something from their past. Those in a state of anxiety are normally stuck in a thought loop about something that has not yet, but may, happen.
Step One: Identify the Thought Behind the Feeling
The first step to emotional transformation is becoming aware of the thought that is triggering your negative feeling.
Ask yourself:
- What thought am I having right now?
- Is this thought a fact, or is it a perspective I’m choosing?
- Are there any other perspectives someone could have about this circumstance?
Most often, you will conclude that it is your perspective rather than a fact. You are giving meaning to a neutral circumstance. Really understanding this is empowering and the foundation for feeling better. If it is just a perspective, you can adopt a different one.
Step Two: Shift Your Perspective
This will take practice. At first, changing your thought patterns might feel awkward or forced. But like any new habit, it will become easier the more you do it.
After you identify a thought that is causing you unpleasantness, brainstorm other possible perspectives someone could have. Look for a perspective that is not a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn, which would be hard to adopt. Try to think of something that is more neutral in the emotions it elicits.
As an example: If you know someone who cuts you off every time you try to have a conversation with them, you may feel annoyed and hold the perspective that they are not valuing what you have to say. Instead, you could adopt the perspective that they have undeveloped communication skills and get overwhelmed with the urge to interject for fear they lose the important thought they just had. This still is not a flattering perspective of the other person, a will elicit a more neutral emotion when you think it.
Once you settle on a neutral thought that will help you maintain a more peaceful emotional state, you will want to set the intention to remember and hold this perspective whenever they interrupt you.
Step Three: Practice the Shift Consistently
The transformation comes from practice. Every time you recognize the scenario you have identified, pause. Identify the thought and shift it. Practice kindness and patience with yourself as you build this new mental habit.
You will not be able to be consistent at this right away. Tell yourself that this should be expected, and keep practicing.
If you continue your practice of shifting your perspective, you will notice a difference in how you feel in a very short time. And it will feel transformational.
