I work hard on my emotional agility.
I take pride in knowing I can handle whatever life throws at me with poise and composure. I’m not easily rattled or frazzled. I’m able to take things in stride and I don’t allow myself to get too high or too low.
Remember, if you’re not emotionally AGILE, you’re emotionally FRAGILE.
These ‘emotional muscles’ come in handy consistently and I continue to train these ‘muscles’ every day.
Increasing my emotional agility does NOT mean being happy or cheerful! It’s mean recognizing, accepting, and effectively managing ALL emotions (even the less desirable ones).
People that only ‘know’ me on a surface level naturally assume I am always optimistic, positive, and enthusiastic. Which is understandable, as that’s the side of me I choose to share publicly. And that is how I feel most of the time.
But I am not that way 24-7-365.
I get sad, disappointed, cranky, and frustrated.
I have fears, issues, low moods, and insecurities.
But you know what?
I ACKNOWLEDGE those emotions and those parts of me and I ACCEPT them.
I do NOT mask them, deny them, or suppress them.
Why?
They complete my emotional pallet as a human being. I give myself permission to feel ALL emotions. I don’t fight them, bottle them up, or feel guilty for having them.
I simply allow myself to feel how I feel in the present moment…
I know that feelings and emotions – good or bad – will pass. They always do. They’re fleeting. If I’m feeling low… I know I won’t feel that way forever… so I let it be… and move to The Next Play. I view this as Emotional Grit.
When I do find myself in a funk… I dig a little deeper to uncover WHY I’m feeling that way. What is really causing me to feel down?
More importantly, when I am in a low mood, I do NOT project how I’m feeling onto others. I don’t let how I am feeling internally effect how I behave externally. I treat others with love, respect, tolerance, and compassion regardless of how I feel.
Similarly, when I’m in a low mood… I don’t complain, I don’t blame anyone or anything, and I don’t make excuses. I hold myself 100% responsible for my feelings… and my behavior.
I’ve found it liberating to not resist low moods but to simply let them flow right through me!
Elevating my emotional agility has drastically improved my confidence, my fulfillment, and my ability to connect with others.
