“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” ~Carl Jung
Honestly, what really triggers and upsets you? I know by asking this question, something must come to mind. Perhaps even these questions trigger you. Am I right?
Is it certain people’s behavior? Is it is your family? Is it what you watch on TV? Is it your husband or wife or your kids?
Chances are, there is something that triggers an upset inside of you and when it happens you can feel how it affects you, physically and emotionally.
I know from my own experiences in the past, I was triggered when someone was overbearing or overpowering. Sometime it was in my workplace and sometimes in my family. I knew I didn’t like it and my response was to shut down. It made me feel small and insignificant. I felt like I didn’t have a voice. Have you ever felt that way?
Well thankfully I have learned some very powerful life skills to help me understand more about what causes the upset inside of me and how I can alleviate my own suffering.
Here are the powerful steps that helped me move through the issue resolution process:
1. Acknowledge the upset inside.
2. Accept your feelings inside and feel them. Mad, sad, angry, pissed off….you name it. Don’t shove it down and don’t project it on anyone else.
3. Take 100% responsibility for your upset…regardless of what or who you think caused it.
4. Allow yourself to rise above the situation. Look at the situation as an observer without getting caught in the emotion of it.
5. Look at the judgments you may have placed on another person or yourself.
6. Forgive the judgments you imposed on others or yourself.
7. Give yourself some inner love and compassion to the parts inside you that are hurt or need healing.
8. See the unbiased truth in the situation. Let it go.
As you diffuse the energy around the upset, your pain and suffering will diminish. If the trigger comes around again, you might need to move through this process again until there is no more charge around the upset, or even seek professional guidance.
Remember you have the choice in how you react to a situation. The choice is yours. Choose well. Choose your freedom.
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Viktor E. Frankl
What are your triggers? How have you dealt with your upsets and triggers in your life? Did you learn any lessons about yourself? I’d love to hear your answers in the comment section below!