By: Linda Graves
I learned a lot about myself in the last few years. The greatest thing that I have learned is that I have a special ‘power’ that NO ONE has control over, but me!
That power is the power over my own emotions. I have full control of who can feel them, how other people use them, when I use or show them, and what I reveal to others.
There are lots of disappointments, heartaches, and difficulties in life, and how we react to others in life paves our way.
Life is full of obstacles that we all face. But it is how we deal with these ‘bumps in the road of life’ that make all the difference.
As an example: You are excited and are looking forward to meeting a good friend you have not seen in a long time, in order to have some quality time to catch up. The closer the time gets to meeting with them, the more anticipation builds within you. The day finally arrives, and your friend doesn’t show up. Each passing minute feels like forever while looking around for those around you or waiting for a call that never comes. A dark cloud of dread hovers over you. The feelings of disappointment bubble up. Questions pop up in your mind, such as, why didn’t they come to meet me? What is wrong with me? What did I do wrong?
These feelings of inadequateness hurt because they did not keep their end of the deal by making you feel good by coming to spend time with you.
Right then and there they have your power! Without even realizing it, you gave them the power to make you feel bad because they didn’t show up! What right do they have to make you feel that way, when it was their fault for not showing up? At this point you should be thinking to yourself, ‘It’s their loss, because I am fabulous, and they missed out on time with me’. If someone disappoints you, then they don’t deserve your emotions, whether it is hurt, or caring from you. Why waste time feeling hurt by them when you can devote your emotions elsewhere that will make you feel good!
Look at your life and the emotions that you have given to people. Do these people return the emotions that make you feel good about yourself? If not, then why are you investing your emotions on them?
It is our own responsibility to keep our emotions in check to live a great life. That life will be shortened tremendously if we allow other people to dictate how we feel!
Linda Graves is a Freelance writer who is a successful customer service professional, with over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. She is known for her positive, calm demeanor and motivational attitude. Linda enjoys photography, baking and spending time with family. Linda is available for writing projects as well as private consultations. You can reach Linda at LindaNGraves@hotmail.com