When we are faced with external stress, pressure and demands this is the time when we need to tap into our inner strength.
Generally what we currently have to deal with, we have faced before, but maybe in a different guise. The issue may be different but the emotions and feelings are what we are familiar with.
We have so much inner strength and resources but we can often forget or ignore them. We can allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by emotions which can lead into a panic cycle and not know how to respond.
Over the years, however, we have experienced, and gathered, inner strengths such as reflection, determination, calmness, trust in self, belief and motivation. We have accrued skills such as problem solving, listening, delegating, sharing (with the right people) and the ability to ask for help or to recognise when to let go and accept.
If we can bring our strengths and resources to the fore than our ability to cope, to bring down stress levels and to gain confidence will expand and grow.
To do this we need to be in a place of calm. The brain, as we know, registers uncomfortable/distressing situations as a danger and triggers off the fight/flight/freeze response. When we are in this state our ability to think logically and rationally is impaired. The body is focused on survival rather than cognitive problem solving.
The most important thing you can do is to get to a state of calm. You can do this through relaxation, Reiki, meditation, walking – whatever helps to switch off that alarm system. Once in this preferred state think back to another time when you had a similar emotional reaction or problem. How did you react? What was most helpful at that time? What did you learn from that experience? From this reflection pick out the most helpful action, strengths, skills and consider how you could apply them to your current situation.
Take control of the situation which may mean in essence choosing how you wish to respond. What is best for you? Trust yourself to make the right decision at that time. We can do no more than our best. Use all your past experiences to tap into what is already there – your inner strength. Move from an external need for support, approval and assurance to an inner belief of trust and strength.
If you struggle with this concept or have difficulty getting in touch with your inner strengths and abilities then you may wish to consider an EFT (Tapping ) session as a gentle way to bring down intensity of emotion and reframe and strengthen your inner resources.
“Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.” ―Katherine Dunham