This is me. This is Lake Michigan. It’s January 1st.
And the water temperature is 39 degrees.
I’d like to tell you that my spirit animal is the Polar bear.
But here’s the truth. I hate being cold.
I’d much prefer a 100-degree day in Phoenix.
So why do I do crazy things like jumping into a nearly frozen lake?
I didn’t want to. I didn’t FEEL like doing it.
During my recovery and on-going battle with PTSD, I discovered that I had handed the steering wheel of life over to my feelings. I now realize I did this long before my Valentine’s Day Miracle—and more often than I care to admit.
But I learned—and continue to learn to tame my feelings by taking action.
William James (1842–1910) is often considered the Father of American Psychology. This is what James said about the fascinating struggle between feelings and actions:
“Actions seem to follow feeling, but really actions and feeling go together…Thus, the sovereign voluntary path to cheerfulness, if our cheerfulness be lost, is to sit up cheerfully and to act and speak as if cheerfulness were already there.”
Here’s what James means in plain language: Feelings can FOLLOW ACTION.
Let that sink in because it’s a game changer. Instead of letting your feelings control you or waiting for courage, confidence, and motivation, you can TAKE ACTION.
I’ve found that three miracles occur when you take action.
Positive feelings follow. When you take action, you benefit from feelings like courage, confidence, and motivation that follow your action.
You gain greater control. You take back the steering wheel of life and gain greater control over the negative feelings like fear, anxiety, and shame that are derailing you and holding you back.
You grow. Those small and consistent actions evolve into habits and routines. Along the way, you develop even greater control over your feelings and your ability to act.
That’s why I took a dip in Lake Michigan on January 1.
Tame Your Feelings is just one of twelve practices I teach in my new book, LIVE AGAIN! I’m excited to share more.
In the meantime, share this link with a service-minded friend—because they might be trapped in a hole, too. You can help them to LIVE AGAIN!
Until next time, don’t forget…
You are here to make a difference. You shine when you help others.
You are the answer to someone else’s prayers. People need you.
You are a gift to the people around you. But when you don’t take care of yourself, you take that gift away.
It’s not too late for you to LIVE AGAIN!
With gratitude,
John Alan