"Self-awareness is the No. 1 skill for improving your EQ. There are things that we aren't aware of for a reason; they are things that make us uncomfortable, and we don't want to change so we don't think about them. It's like making yourself go to the gym." Travis Bradberry

The thesis of his new book, Drunk With Wonder: Awakening to the God Within, is that feelings fully felt shift. Through learning to be present to his own deep feelings, Steve Ryals was able to let go of years of addictive behavior, including freeing himself of decades of alcohol abuse seven years ago.

Angry feelings is one of the greatest challenges for recovering alcoholics and addicts. Relapse is often related to the inability to constructively handle anger. Mismanged anger poses a threat to recovery for the newcomer and the oldtimer. Sometimes the greatest threat is to relationships.

Fear is very central to every behavioral addiction, that is not emphasized enough. Preparing for the fears is recognizing that it's normal, recognizing it's important that you face them, see the outcome, see that you don't fall apart.

Fear of success includes the fear that you will accomplish all that you set out to, but that you still won't be happy, content, or satisfied once you reach your goal, and other beliefs and concerns.

What is fun? What are some barriers to having fun? What are some strategies to have more fun?

Fear can immobilize your decision making, prevent you from overcoming your insecurity, prevent you from being willing to become vulnerable, and to let go of old habits or ways of thinking in order to change.

Insecurity is a feeling of not being "good enough' to meet the challenges you face in life; a sense of helplessness in the face of problems, conflict, or concerns; and other feelings and beliefs.

Guilt is a feeling of responsibility for negative circumstances, a feeling of regret for your real or imagined misdeeds, and other feelings that impact you and others.