Email 3
💌 Triggers are opportunities
Heyy 👋
How's it going?
Today we had the chance to visit family members.
It was so fun because their were about four kids below five and they all brought so much joy and light with them.
I got to thinking about the fact that, at any moment, anyone in that gathering can cause something that triggers an emotional reaction or past hurt.
Families are complicated in their own ways.
And mine is no less different.
This got me into writing about how we can see triggers from a different light.
I know even the word 'trigger' can be a trigger. But I hope you read this email along with the love and space I have for you.
Triggers can both be negative or positive.
A child's smile can trigger you to smile back. A snark comment can cause you to remember everything that was ever wrong with your relationship with that person.
And yes, it can be so hard to let go of these emotions, especially the negative ones.
At some point, our triggers can even hinder us from realizing our goals. And what then? Do you just stop everything or do you push through anyway?
I find that it has been good practice to let myself feel and be aware that I am feeling that way and to say to myself, "Thank you for serving me in this way. I now release you."
This simple line has helped me, although sometimes not too easily, to let go of things that aren't helpful for my own mental health.
Whenever I try to ignore something, it simply becomes even more difficult to bear. You know the saying, "what you resist, persists?" That seems to have some truth in it.
An so the next to you feel your triggers while in the middle of projects you really want to accomplish, the first step is always to take a step back. A step back in order to move forward, right?
Because when you do, you become mindful of what is really happening.
Perhaps you can even talk to someone about what triggers you so you don't just "read the bottle label from the inside."
The point is to make sure to remember that this moment, any moment, is fleeting. It will pass, and that can either be seen as a good thing or a bad thing.
Let your triggers be opportunities for you to learn and grow with grace. We might not always overcome our triggers instantly, but that is the work behind creating a more resilient us. And remember, even if you stop, you can always start again. 🙂
I hope you've had a wonderful day so far. 💌
Love,
Elaine 💘
How's it going?
Today we had the chance to visit family members.
It was so fun because their were about four kids below five and they all brought so much joy and light with them.
I got to thinking about the fact that, at any moment, anyone in that gathering can cause something that triggers an emotional reaction or past hurt.
Families are complicated in their own ways.
And mine is no less different.
This got me into writing about how we can see triggers from a different light.
I know even the word 'trigger' can be a trigger. But I hope you read this email along with the love and space I have for you.
Triggers can both be negative or positive.
A child's smile can trigger you to smile back. A snark comment can cause you to remember everything that was ever wrong with your relationship with that person.
And yes, it can be so hard to let go of these emotions, especially the negative ones.
At some point, our triggers can even hinder us from realizing our goals. And what then? Do you just stop everything or do you push through anyway?
I find that it has been good practice to let myself feel and be aware that I am feeling that way and to say to myself, "Thank you for serving me in this way. I now release you."
This simple line has helped me, although sometimes not too easily, to let go of things that aren't helpful for my own mental health.
Whenever I try to ignore something, it simply becomes even more difficult to bear. You know the saying, "what you resist, persists?" That seems to have some truth in it.
An so the next to you feel your triggers while in the middle of projects you really want to accomplish, the first step is always to take a step back. A step back in order to move forward, right?
Because when you do, you become mindful of what is really happening.
Perhaps you can even talk to someone about what triggers you so you don't just "read the bottle label from the inside."
The point is to make sure to remember that this moment, any moment, is fleeting. It will pass, and that can either be seen as a good thing or a bad thing.
Let your triggers be opportunities for you to learn and grow with grace. We might not always overcome our triggers instantly, but that is the work behind creating a more resilient us. And remember, even if you stop, you can always start again. 🙂
I hope you've had a wonderful day so far. 💌
Love,
Elaine 💘