October Brings Change Inside and Out
October is often equated with change. The seasons change, the leaves change, students head back to school. It is a time of re-organizing schedules and settling into a new routine.
This October, during this re-organization of all things external, is the perfect time to take control of your life on the inside as well.
October is Gain the Inside Advantage Month as well as Emotional Wellness Month. Group those two together, along with all the other changes taking place, and you have the perfect opportunity to reflect on your life.
Gain the Inside Advantage... What Does That Mean?
Gaining the inside advantage refers to ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things by taking control of their lives from the inside out and learning to live deeply, joyfully and successfully. It means reflecting on your life purpose and goals and following through with all the little things that can make them happen.
These little things can be anything:
- Spending more time reading with your kids
- Taking evening walks with your spouse
- Writing in a journal a few times each week
- Calling your sister twice a month
- Trying a new spiritual practice
Think about the different areas of your life and your health. Are there certain aspects you would like to improve? Read more about creating a healthy lifestyle and even take a self-assessment.
How is This Related to Emotional Wellness?
Emotional wellness is the ability to create and sustain a positive attitude in life, maintain a healthy level of self-esteem, and to express the full range of emotions that occur in human experience. It involves self-reflection, just as gaining the inside advantage prompts us to do.
Emotional wellness includes:
- Being aware of your stressors and finding a way to manage them.
- Expressing your emotions in a safe and meaningful way.
- Creating and maintaining healthy relationships.
- Exploring your life purpose.
- Giving and receiving social support - ensuring that you have friends and other people, including family, to turn to in times of need or crisis to give you a broader focus and positive self-image.
By reflecting on your emotional wellness, you will be able to better understand what little things you'd like to focus on to "gain the inside advantage."
Read Laura's story as one example of self-reflection and action. During a time in her life when she felt lonely and depressed, she found that social support helped her emotional wellness.
Resources
Websites
Health & Yoga - 3-Step Approach to a Positive Attitude http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/news/yoga_positive.html
Institute for Health and Human Potential - Emotional Intelligence quiz http://www.ihhp.com/quiz.php
National Association for Self-Esteem (NASE) http://www.self-esteem-nase.org/rate.php
Self-Esteem Learning Foundation http://www.selfesteem.org/
McGill University - interactive self-esteem games http://selfesteemgames.mcgill.ca/games/index.htm
Self-esteem quiz: http://www.leadersdirect.com/selfesteem.htm
Spirituality & Health http://www.spirituality-health.com/spirit/
The Purpose Project http://purposeproject.org/
Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health http://www.spiritualityandhealth.duke.edu/
Life Balance Institute http://www.lifebalance.org/
Meditation Society of America http://www.meditationsociety.com/
Books & Journal Articles on Emotions
Branden, N. (1988). How to Raise Your Self-Esteem. Bantam Books.
Glickman, R. (2002). Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self. Wiley.
Goleman, D. (1997). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam.
Goleman, D. (2003). Healing Emotions: Conversations with the Dalai Lama on Mindfulness, Emotions, and Health. Shambhala.
Harrell, K. (2002). Attitude is Everything: 10 Life-Changing Steps to Turning Attitude Into Action. HarperBusiness.
McGraw, P. (2003). Self Matters: Creating Your Life from the Inside Out. Free Press.
Meyer, J. (2002). Managing Your Emotions: Instead of Your Emotions Managing You. Joyce Meyer Trade.
Oatley, K. (1992). Best Laid Schemes: The Psychology of Emotions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ryan, M.J. (1999). Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Everyday of Your Life. Conari Press.
Viscott, D. (1993). Emotionally Free: Letting Go of the Past to Live in the Moment. McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books.
Find more books and articles here.
Books & Articles on Life Purpose
Adrienne, C. (2001). Find Your Purpose, Change Your Life: Getting to the Heart of Your Life's Mission. Perennial Currents.
Bailey, J. (1998). Slowing Down to the Speed of Life: How To Create A More Peaceful, Simpler Life From the Inside Out. Harper San Francisco.
Baldwin, C. (1991). Life's Companion. Bantam.
Bronson, P. (2002). What Should I Do With My Life? Random House.
Clinebell, H.J. (1992). Well Being: A Personal Plan for Exploring and Enriching the Seven Dimensions of Life: Mind, Body, Spirit, Love Work, Play, the World. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
Edwards, P., Edwards, S. (2001). Changing Directions Without Losing Your Way: Managing the Six Stages of Change at Work and in Life. Penguin Putnam.
Leider, R. (1997). The Power of Purpose. San Francisco, Calif.: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Leider, R., Shapiro, D. (2002). Repacking Your Bags. San Francisco, Calif.: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Leider, R., Shapiro, Dr. (2004). Claiming Your Place at the Fire. San Francisco, Calif.: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Palmer, P. (2000). Let Your Life Speak. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass Inc.
Prochaska, J.O., Norcross, J.C., Diclemente, C.C. (1994). Changing for Good. New York: Avon Books.
Salzberg, S. (2002). Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience. Riverhead Books.