Taking Control of Our Emotional Health: Part 2

Continuing from our previous discussion on emotional health, where we explored scenarios to help you gauge your emotional bandwidth and become aware of your reactions, the goal was to move toward peace, calm, and stability in handling life’s situations. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into assessing whether we truly have the power to choose our responses and, if not currently exercising that power, how we can regain control.

Do We Really Have the Power to Choose Our Response?

Let’s begin by reflecting on this question: Are we consistently responding based on our value system, or are external circumstances dictating our emotions and reactions? If you’re unsure, don’t worry. Let’s examine some everyday scenarios to gain clarity.

Scenario 1a: Getting Stuck in Traffic

Reflect: Think back to a time when you were stuck in heavy traffic — something most of us have experienced. How do you usually respond? Do you stay calm, or does frustration surface? Do you notice others around you reacting differently?

Observations:

• Group 1: Remain calm, stable, perhaps listening to music or a podcast, finding ways to enjoy the moment.
• Group 2: Appear irritated, honking…