When Do You Press The Override Button?

For me, it’s most of the time. My feelings lead me toward a dangerous path more often then not. Just think of the many feelings we have on a daily basis (just a few common ones): anger, contempt, jealousy, lust, rage, anxiety, annoyance, hatred, embarrassment, loneliness, pity, pride, guilt, despair, disappointment. You might think, well those are all the bad feelings…and yes, you are correct. Those are typically the kind that give us the most trouble!

Also, I can feel about 20 different ways about the same thing in a single day. This a clue that my feelings are that reliable. It reminds me of that old saying, “feelings are fickle”
(Def. of Fickle from Dictionary.com: unstable, unsteady, variable, capricious, fitful).

For example, when somone is really sick with bulimia, and they experience any one of these feelings—they send them into a desperate binge and purge cycle. We see this with other people who will say things like, “I need a drink.” They are allowing their feelings to rule their decisions. I have made many poor choices because I thought that my FEELINGS were right, rather than testing them and seeing how they measured up.

When we ARE:

Angry

BE ANGRY, but do not relinquish yourself to all your anger and don't do anything crazy.

So we CAN be angry, but what we DO with it matters. I still get angry, but I tell myself you can handle this and don't take it out on others. You can replace “my saying” with whatever you struggle with.  You can control your emotions if you try.

Lonely

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified to be alone. You must enjoy your own company and love yourself before you can have a healthy relationship with others.

Anxious

We don’t have to hang on to that yucky-ness of anxiety. Talk about it and relinquish it to others who care about you, I’m so thankful I have somewhere to put it rather than wear it around all day and be miserable.

The best news is that we can CHOOSE to still do the right thing, even if it FEELS wrong.

When you are in the heat of the intense FEELINGS, call out to a loved one for their strength to overcome.  Don't be scared to ask for help.

I know this has helped me a lot - asking for help and confiding in people I love!

Big Override Buttons,
Kelly