Post by Stacie S on May 1, 2003 10:40:23 GMT -5
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[/i][/move] Recognizing Feelings
Experiencing feelings can be a challenge if we've
had no previous experience or permission to do that.
Learning to identify what we're feeling is a
challenge we can meet, but we will not become
experts overnight. Nor do we have to deal with our
feelings perfectly.
Here are some ideas that might be helpful as you
learn to recognize and deal with feelings.
Take out a sheet of paper. On the top of it write, "If
it was okay to feel whatever I'm feeling, and I
wouldn't be judged as bad or wrong, what would I
be feeling?" Then write whatever comes to mind.
You can also use the favorite standby of many
people in discovering their feelings: writing or
journaling. You can keep a diary, write letters you
don't intend to send, or just scribble thoughts onto a
note pad.
Watch and listen to yourself as an objective third
person might. Listen to your tone of voice and the
words you use. What do you hear? Sadness, fear,
anger, happiness?
What is your body telling you? Is it tense and rigid
with anger? Running with fear? Heavy with sadness
and grief? Dancing with joy?
Talking to people in recovery helps too. Going to
meetings helps. Once we feel safe, many of us find
that we open up naturally and with ease to our
feelings.
We are on a continual treasure hunt in recovery.
One of the treasures we're seeking is the emotional
part of ourselves. We don't have to do it perfectly.
We need only be honest, open, and willing to try.
Our emotions are there waiting to share themselves
with us.
Today, I will watch myself and listen to myself as I
go through my day. I will not judge myself for what
I'm feeling; I will accept myself.[/color][/size][/shadow][/center]