If you’re able to truly feel all of your feelings, you’ll gain the necessary energy to solve difficult problems. So the first step to experience “the joy of feeling alive” or “the joy of contentment” is to accurately feel whatever you do.
When you feel hurt–cry.
When you feel happy–laugh.
When you feel scared–talk.
When you feel angry–connect.
When you feel love–express it.
When you feel grief–mourn.
When you feel grumpy–don’t act like Dopey.
When you feel resentful–let go.
When you feel vengeful–forgive but don’t forget.
When you feel rejected–accept it.
When you feel good–celebrate.
When you feel lonely–reach out to others.
When you feel self-critical–nurture yourself instead.
When you feel like a failure–try…try again.
When you feel disappointed–don’t dump.
When you feel shy–introduce yourself.
When you feel high and almighty–calm yourself.
When you feel perfectionistic–make a mistake.
When you feel stuck in the status quo–do something new.
When you feel awe–tingle.
When you feel awful–don’t complain ad infinitum.
When you feel hopeful–spread it around.
When you feel optimistic–tolerate pessimists.
When you feel a loss of control–manage what you can.
When you feel vulnerable–feel proud of yourself.
When you feel down–lighten your load.
When you feel mistrusting–trust your inner circle of advisors.
When you feel bored–spice up your life.
When you feel like you messed up–apologize.
When you feel alone–make new friends.
When you feel alive–feel fortunate and live your life.
When you feel stuck in a rut–change equals communication.
When you feel stressed–address your grievances.
When you feel things aren’t going your way–don’t run away.
When you feel displeased–please yourself more.
When you feel anything at all–feel the feeling gladly.
Dr. Dennis O’Grady is a professional keynote speaker and the author of a proven new communications program found in his latest book TALK TO ME: Communication Moves to Get Along with Anyone. He specializes in teaching “positive and effective communication strategies to be the leader of your own life.”