Negative Emotions- how they affect us

Negative emotions - we all experience them, right? They come and go, but what happens when they hit you hard? What are your options for dealing with them? How do you process these emotions? Do you resort to substances like drugs, alcohol, or retail therapy? There are several ways to handle them, which I'll be discussing. But first, you need to understand the effect they have on the body. Every emotion is stored in our cellular tissue, becoming a memory. So, even if you think you've effectively dealt with a certain emotion, it may resurface. Your body might experience it differently, causing pain, irritation, discomfort, disease, or even cancer. Your body doesn't want these unresolved memories, and if you haven't addressed the emotions, your body will find a way to get your attention until you do. If you decide to start healing yourself, these emotions may surface through your body, which can take days, months, years, or even several years. You might be wondering how this is possible - is it true? I'll share one of my personal experiences of processing emotions through my body, and then we'll discuss the options you have to deal with them.

Last year, when I was living in North Carolina, I was practicing hands-on healing work, primarily massage. One day, I noticed a small bump on one of my fingers, and upon closer inspection, I thought it might be a wart, although it didn't quite look like one. I didn't pay it much attention and assumed it would disappear on its own. However, after a few days, I noticed more of these bumps, around six on my fingers and on both hands. At this point, I began to feel concerned. A day later, my hands appeared to have developed a rash, but it was mainly under the skin, except for those few bumps I had initially discovered. It didn't itch, nor did it burn, but I was increasingly worried. I reached out to my Holistic Healer, who had me on a detox and nutritional/herbal formula. He reassured me that this was a positive sign that things were coming out. I agreed but remained somewhat concerned. I decided not to give massages until the issue resolved. However, after a week, it had only gotten worse. The rash began to surface, and I now had it on my stomach and feet. At this point, I was genuinely scared and began worrying that I had contracted something from a client. That possibility was not far from my mind.

After another week, things took a turn for the worse. The bumps grew larger and were raised above the skin's surface. They resembled sores but were not open. Now, I was really panicked and decided to take myself to a walk-in clinic. That was my first mistake, although I had an inkling it wouldn't help. What could they possibly tell me? I thought it was just a detox reaction. After waiting for two hours, the nurse took one look at my hand and said she couldn't help me and that I needed to go to the ER. Frustrated, I drove to the ER, where the wait was thankfully only 30 minutes. The new nurse from the ER examined my hand, asked me several questions, and then suggested, "I think you have secondary syphilis." I inquired about what that meant, and she explained that it was a sexually transmitted disease but treatable. She said she needed to draw blood and get a sample. As soon as she left the room, I grabbed my phone and began researching on Google, which only heightened my worry and anxiety. I went through the images section and was horrified by what I saw. Was this really happening? I knew deep down that this couldn't be it, but my heightened emotional state led to tears streaming down my face.

Another nurse entered to take a "sample" with a swab. I asked her what she was going to do with it, and she replied that she was going to swab my sore. I showed her that they were not open sores or anything to swab. This made me even more upset, but I calmed myself down because I knew that if it was indeed what they suspected, at least it was treatable. The nurse agreed that there was nothing to swab, and we proceeded with a blood test.

As I left the hospital, mortified, the worst part was that I had to wait three days for the test results. It was an agonizing three days. I tried to connect with my spirit but realized I couldn't see past my emotions and frustration. So, what did I do? I called my spiritual mentor, which I should have done in the first place. You know how sometimes you don't want to burden people with your issues. But considering that she was also a registered nurse, she should have been my first choice. I knew that this was something I was processing energetically and emotionally, and a simple detox would have cleared up any physical symptoms within a few weeks.

Thanks to my mentor, Nancy, we got to the bottom of it. As soon as she brought clarity to the situation and the emotions I was feeling, everything made sense. In short, she was able to view my body from an energetic perspective, and all she said was that I had a lot of anger and frustration coming up. My body didn't know how to process these emotions, so they manifested in my hands and feet. She was absolutely right. I had been suppressing and ignoring my frustration and anger about several life situations. I had been planning to deal with these emotions later. After performing some energy work and acknowledging my emotions, I began to work on processing them.

This experience was similar to a previous one I had, which involved severe swelling in my abdominal area. That time, I was processing the need to "know" and dealing with anxiety. Irritating as it may have been, I had also requested a swift release of my emotional baggage during that period.

Now, let's talk about your options when dealing with emotions. You have several, but let's discuss three of them. You could:

1. Ignore the emotions and give yourself a hard time for having them.
2. Dive deep into them, throw a pity party, and remain stuck there.
3. Honor the emotion, accept that it's a part of healing, and give yourself a time limit before moving on.

So, let's discuss disappointment, which is a challenging emotion. It often triggers other emotions like anger, sadness, and self-loathing. But how about choosing option #3? Honoring an emotion can be incredibly powerful. Society often teaches us that emotions are bad. For men, they are seen as a sign of weakness, while for women, they are seen as excessive. Society encourages us to control our emotions, but I believe we should learn to honor them. Emotions can arise as protection, distractions, calls for attention, or victimization. However, it's important to remember that they don't define us. It's okay to feel emotions, but it's equally important to remember that they don't define us. It's okay to feel emotions, but it's equally important to acknowledge them. Sometimes, we might not even understand where a particular emotion is coming from, and that's perfectly fine. Some days, we might feel sadness for no apparent reason. Regardless of the severity of the emotion, we can choose how long we allow ourselves to stay in that emotional state.

For instance, if it's a fleeting feeling, we might only experience it for a brief moment. We can inquire why it's there, engage in some self-talk, and move on within minutes if it's not particularly intense. For example, we might say to ourselves, "I recognize you, 'sadness,' but I won't dwell here. I used to feel this way, but not anymore." It's helpful to anchor yourself in the present moment by reminding yourself of the current date and your age. This approach works whether the emotion is tied to a recent experience or something from years ago. The past is the past, and recognizing it as such can help you transition to the present.

However, when you find yourself deeply immersed in an emotion, people have various ways of dealing with it. Remember when I asked you about your "vice"? I could easily have gone home and consumed a bottle of wine in the past as a way to escape my emotions. While it might have provided temporary relief, it's essential to understand that such coping mechanisms can be more damaging than you realize.

If you feel that you're drowning in your emotions and are tempted to turn to your vice, consider making an agreement with yourself. Allow yourself to fully experience the emotion, and think about how long you'd like to stay in that emotional state. There have been times when I allowed myself to do nothing and stay in bed for three days because I knew I had a lot to process. This might be extreme for some or not enough time for others. It's crucial to check in with yourself and determine what's reasonable. This approach applies to any emotion or life situation. Once you make this agreement, dive into your feelings, knowing that the emotional storm will pass within the time you've allotted for it.

When that predetermined time arrives, honor your commitment to yourself. You may still feel a trace of the emotion, but self-talk can be immensely helpful. Remind your body and spirit that you've given the emotion its allotted time. If you require more time, make another arrangement to revisit it. Some emotions and circumstances are more challenging than others, and this tool allows you to begin processing them so they don't have long-term effects on your cellular body.

Emotions like loss, death, or unforgiveness can be particularly challenging to address. These emotions tend to recruit others, such as bitterness, hurt, sadness, anxiety, and depression, if left unattended. Don't let yourself avoid or stay stuck in an emotion. If you're grappling with an emotion from the past, let it go. It's a common misconception that healing an emotion means forgetting about it. You can still remember an event or issue without holding onto the associated emotions. The moment you begin emotionally relating to it, use self-talk. Say something like, "I remember you, I remember that feeling. It was in the past, not today. I won't forget you, but I won't stay in this emotion."

Emotional healing is a powerful process that can happen instantaneously or gradually. Have you been wanting to forgive someone? Have you been wanting to let go of a particular emotion? Are you ready to heal? It can begin as soon as you say yes and make the decision. You have control over how you respond when the emotion resurfaces. Fill your life with love and light, releasing negative emotions to free yourself and those around you.

If you need clarification or would like more information, please feel free to comment or contact me. You don't have to process these emotions alone. Just say yes to healing.

Best,

Carolyn

DO NOT let religion get the best of you. You may miss out on blessings.

I had to write about my experiences with religion, with the hope of opening people's minds and hearts to various belief systems. I want to offer a pre-emptive apology if anyone is offended because I'll be discussing multiple religions. I must also mention that some of my friends will be mentioned in this narrative, and if you're one of them, I want to express my gratitude for being a part of my life. This account is simply a reflection of my encounters with people from different religious backgrounds and the lessons I've gleaned from these interactions.

With that said, I want to emphasize that I love all people, regardless of their beliefs or religious affiliations. I choose to assess individuals based on the goodness of their hearts and their intentions, rather than their religious beliefs. It's not my place to pass judgment on others.

In this narrative, I'll be sharing my experiences with individuals from various religious backgrounds, including Catholics, Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baha'i Faith practitioners, atheists, mystics, and Muslims. Through these experiences, I hope to provide insight into my personal journey thus far and the wonderful people I've had the privilege to meet. If I had judged them solely based on their religious affiliations, I would have missed out on the opportunity to form meaningful friendships.

When I was around 8 years old, I attended church with my neighbor. It was my first time going to church because my family didn't attend, and we rarely discussed God. As a curious child, I was eager to learn about this "God" person. My mother had a large Bible full of pictures, and I remember falling in love with the images of angels. So, when I received an invitation to church, I was glad to accept it. At that age, I wasn't aware of different denominations; I believed there was only one church, one religion, and one way to learn about God.

During the church service, I listened intently. I distinctly recall the "father" asking if we wanted to give our lives to Jesus. I was deeply moved and inspired, feeling both ready and excited to do so. However, as we got up to take communion, my neighbor informed me that I couldn't participate. My heart sank, and I couldn't comprehend why. In that moment, I felt unworthy and like a bad child because I saw other children my age going up and receiving Christ. I couldn't understand why I wasn't accepted by God. Now, years later, I understand that the Catholic religion has a specific process one must go through, but as a child, it instilled negative emotions and beliefs about myself and God.

In my twenties, I began my search for God once again, seeking answers. I hadn't actively pursued this since my experience in the Catholic Church as a child. At the time, I was working at a spa in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and I had developed a close relationship with another massage therapist. We used to exchange massages between clients. One day, I confided in her about some experiences I had during my massages, such as seeing things in people's bodies or receiving messages about their well-being. I asked her if she thought this could be a form of communication from God. To my surprise, she replied, "God doesn't communicate with people that way. You must be tapping into something dark."

This response prompted me to delve deeper into this matter. I asked her how she knew this and if she could provide evidence. She agreed to show me and began studying the Bible together, using pamphlets as a guide. I was impressed by the organization of her study, and I had many questions about the source and authorship of these materials. It turned out that people all over the world were studying the same material from the same book. I was eager to gather information, and she was passionate about teaching it.

However, as I continued learning, I found that I didn't agree with everything she was telling me, and she couldn't address some of my questions adequately. I was particularly interested in revisiting the topic of my intuitive abilities while working with clients, but her response remained that God no longer communicated with people in that manner. My heart couldn't accept this teaching, and I also couldn't reconcile her disbelief in angels. While I respected her and her organization's efforts, I ultimately realized that this path wasn't for me.

During my time at the spa, I had an encounter with a client that left a lasting impact. It was my first session with this client, a 60-minute massage. However, it turned out to be a divine appointment. As I worked on him, he began talking about spiritual concepts like the law of attraction and manifesting. At the time, I was skeptical, but I listened attentively. I shared that sometimes I sensed things in people's bodies, not just physically but emotionally. Intriguingly, he asked for my address, and I felt an inexplicable sense of peace about giving it to him.

A few weeks later, I received tapes from Caroline Myss on energy anatomy. I vividly remember setting the scene for listening to them, running a bath, lighting a candle, and pressing play. However, after only 10 minutes, I was confused by what Caroline Myss was saying. I couldn't comprehend her message, so I placed the tapes in a box, where they remained undiscovered for years.

In my mid-twenties, I relocated to San Diego, where I worked at a spa downtown. I met a stylist there, and we quickly became friends due to our shared clients and interests. Despite working in an industry often marked by negativity and drama, she remained positive and drama-free, which drew me to her. One day, she mentioned attending a seminar in Los Angeles that focused on creating your own reality and positive thinking. I was intrigued and wanted to know more, and she mentioned the seminar's speaker, Caroline Myss. This name sounded familiar, and I remembered the tapes I had received years earlier.

Excited, I dug out the tapes, and this time, I found resonance in Caroline Myss's teachings. I ended up attending the seminar, which marked a turning point in my life. I immersed myself in Caroline Myss's books and learned about topics like "Anatomy of the Spirit" and "Sacred Contracts." While her other spiritual workshops were expensive, I managed to attend one later on.

After spending several years in San Diego, I returned to Michigan and met a woman at a former job who instantly captivated me with her unique charm. She hailed from England, and she introduced me to concepts of communicating with spirits. Her stories about encounters with the deceased and hearing their voices intrigued me, especially since I felt comfortable discussing these matters with her. However, her spiritual approach differed from the traditional religious perspective I was familiar with.

Curious, I asked her how she acquired this knowledge and whether it was supported by the Bible. She confessed to knowing little about the Bible; instead, she listened to her heart. This openness conflicted with my preconceived notions, but I appreciated her confidence and reverence. She invited me to join her in a class she was attending on the subject, and I reluctantly agreed to explore her beliefs. During one meditation session led by the instructor, the woman singled me out and said she saw angels all around me. She even provided a specific number of angels she perceived. Surprisingly, her insights were highly accurate, and I opened up to her about my fear of night experiences, where I sometimes saw things or people. She explained that these were my spirit guides and offered guidance on how to communicate with them and seek their protection.

This encounter broadened my perspective, and I became more open to diverse beliefs. I realized that spirituality transcends rigid religious boundaries. However, my quest for spiritual understanding was far from over.

I recognized that my journey could not be limited by traditional religious frameworks. I wanted to explore various belief systems and learn from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. I believed that if I connected with grounded, energetic, and kind-hearted individuals, I could gain deeper insights into my spirituality.

My relocation from Michigan to San Diego led to another pivotal encounter. While filling up at a gas station, a fellow customer noticed my Michigan license plates and struck up a conversation with me. She had also lived in Michigan and offered to show me around the San Diego area. Our friendship quickly blossomed as we explored clubs, concerts, and shared moments with her welcoming Filipino family. Through this newfound friendship, I learned that she followed the Baha'i Faith, a belief system I hadn't encountered before.

Intrigued by her faith, I asked her to explain it to me. She described how Baha'is believe that God sends messengers at various times in history to share essential messages. They also revere Jesus and His teachings. She introduced me to Bahá'u'lláh, who emerged 120 years after Jesus with a new message. While our conversations about her faith were brief, I cherished her as a friend. I could sense her deep spirituality and connection with God. Later, I attended a gathering of the Baha'i Faith and appreciated the warmth and inclusiveness of the community. My friend's spiritual path intrigued me, and I believed she and her fellow Baha'is had a unique connection with God.

Now, let me share the story of the forgotten tapes. As I mentioned earlier, I had stored away some tapes by Caroline Myss, an author and spiritual teacher, after initially being unable to connect with her message. After hearing her name mentioned by my friend in San Diego, I felt drawn to revisit those tapes. This time, I found her teachings resonating with me, and I eagerly devoured her books and attended one of her seminars, which became a life-changing experience.

After several years in San Diego, I returned to Michigan, where I met a woman at a former job who radiated positivity and energy. Despite not knowing each other well, we formed an instant connection. She introduced me to the concept of healing and mentioned attending a seminar in Los Angeles. Her discussion of healing piqued my interest, especially since my experiences in the spa industry had exposed me to various perspectives on wellness.

However, when she suggested that she could see an issue with my first chakra and offered to perform a healing on me, I hesitated. I was cautious about these alternative practices and questioned their compatibility with my beliefs. Nonetheless, I agreed, and she performed the healing. Later, she explained that she could conduct the healing remotely, even while she was in Hawaii. Skeptical yet curious, I allowed her to proceed.

To my surprise, I experienced a profound transformation. I woke up with newfound energy, joy, peace, and positivity—a stark departure from my usual morning disposition. These feelings had been absent in my life for a long time, and I knew something extraordinary had occurred. Furthermore, the accuracy of her insights during the healing and her understanding of my life's challenges left me in awe.

I became her student, traveling to Washington for her intuitive class. She later invited me to a spiritual workshop and a spiritual tour to South Africa. During the tour, I encountered Sangomas, traditional South African healers, who conveyed messages similar to those I had received from others across diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds. It perplexed me that individuals with different religions could deliver consistent messages and validate my life's path and spiritual gifts. Moreover, I attended a Christian church in South Carolina, where I received prophetic words that echoed the same messages.

However, my introduction to the prophetic realm occurred a year earlier at a Christian church in Santa Maria, California. My sister, who shares different beliefs, invited me to attend a meeting on dream interpretation. Intrigued by the idea of Christians engaging in this practice, I joined her. At the meeting, I encountered Doug Addison, a Christian evangelist, who delivered a message that left a lasting impact. He noted the presence of the "light of God" around me and prophesied that I would help people find their destinies.

This experience challenged my preconceived notions about religious boundaries. It became evident that divine messages transcended religious affiliations and could be found in unexpected places. I realized that it was essential to focus on a person's heart and spiritual intent rather than their religious label. Love and acceptance were the common themes among all these diverse spiritual encounters.

In my journey, I have received messages, readings, and prophetic words from various individuals, each with their unique beliefs and practices. I've come to understand that while the terminology may differ, the core messages often align. If one is grounded, possesses a loving heart, and seeks a genuine connection with God, they need not fear exploring these diverse sources of spiritual insight. Each person can take these messages into their heart and discern their personal truths.

In conclusion, my experiences have led me to realize that God can communicate through anyone, regardless of their religious background. It's not about seeking out these messages, but rather, it's about recognizing the love and acceptance that should unite us all, transcending denominations and belief systems. I continue to cherish my friendships with people of various beliefs, including those who identify as atheists, as I believe that God's presence can manifest in profound ways, even in unexpected places. I am a soldier of love, and my journey has taught me to appreciate the diverse ways in which people connect with the divine. Peace be with you all.