Feelings

Shame is a common reaction when someone feels that they have fallen below social norms or their own standards. From being intoxicated in front of one's peers and superiors to failing an important test at school or being rejected at the school dance, shame can be an internal alarm that ensures that we know when we are at risk of finding ourselves outside the lines of societal acceptance and desirability.

"My name is Dr. Michael Benjamin. I have more than thirty-five years' experience in clinical psychiatry. I have developed a free, online Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program called myRay to help you cope with depression, anxiety, stress and panic attacks. These conditions spoil your quality of life and that of everyone near to you."

Because our emotions are experienced in our bodies, emotions make us want to do something. People aren't built to simply lie back and feel their emotions. The experience of emotions is accompanied by the release of hormones in our bodies, changes in breathing and heart rate along with changes in regional blood supply mean that our emotions are actively affecting us.

"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.