We create a habit of relying on how we feel to motivate us, or cue an action, largely because we think and thus value, the idea that feelings matter. We begin to live with this belief and it produces actions and behaviors that over time, become deep-rooted habits.The idea that how we feel is something we believe to the point that it begins to take control over our mindset. We take our cues from how things make us feel, rather than how we should objectively discern and evaluate the realities present in things.This creates a type of worldview that subjects everything, everyone, and every outcome to how it makes us feel.Feeling trapped is less about being trapped and more about feeling trapped. It's not actually a reality, but more of a state of mind.So how do we get untrapped? How do we free ourselves from the control of feelings? This is not easy. (1)It requires a considerable amount of honesty. (2) it requires we start evaluating things by objective standards, not on outcomes or feelings. (3) it requires that we have to build on a perspective for life that is based on foundational principles, things that are objective, and true. (4) it takes work.So these are the rules of the game, now we need a game plan. In this episode, I am going to talk about the specific actions I take that help me stay free to focus on the mission.Here they are:Reading - things that expand your mind and make you think -- learn to relate to objectivity things that are clear and factual.Listening - to others, be quiet, and hear the wisdom from other people, find meaning in their lived experiences.Writing - writing is thinking and thinking is how we shape the ideas that become what we do, and who we are. Oscar Wilde's quote -- If you cannot write well, you cannot think well; if you cannot think well, others will do your thinking for you.Get tough - being disciplined about how you think requires hard work, and if you never do the hard stuff, you will never handle hard times.and 6. plan and solve. no plan survives first contact with the enemy, so plan, by having the ability to solve problems, this is the plan.Let feelings find their place... don't ignore how something makes us feel, rather, understand the source code that creates those feelings.Conclusion: Feeling trapped, feeling free. Consider this reality, way too many people feel free when in reality, they are trapped. Feelings confirm very little about our reality, they may point us in a direction or indicate that we have a problem, but they are not the thing we should use to determine what we need to do, how to think. I've seen and been part of relationships that I thought were based on love but were nothing more than the feeling and emotions, which I'd spent years validating, that was driving me to make certain choices.Reality is best lived in light of the truth, regardless of how those truths make me feel. I can't live the lies that I tell myself to feel good about something I don't want to face or accept, any more than I should validate my life based on the bad feeling that I may experience.I tend to feel trapped when I lose sight of the things that matter, the truths I believe in, and the purpose for why I am alive. When I get to this point, I find that sometimes I have to go primal... I need fast, something basic, just cleanse my head and force my mind to focus on the basic concept of self-denial. This is a reset. Helps me get grounded and rethink, and get on track... again. The less I focus on purpose, the less I practice these 7 good habits, the more likely I am to feel trapped. We don't forsake truth rationally, instead, we do it emotionally, when we chose to replace the truth with something that feels good, is easy, and provides us a certain amount of rest and comfort from the hard things living a truth-based life can bring. The truth is what I need to keep me grounded. It's okay to feel things. It's okay to feel broken, weak, frustrated, incapable, angry, sad, or guilty. Sometimes those feeling are necessary to make us recognize something. The thing that makes bravery so powerful is the fear that has to be overcome to exercise that bravery... but bravery only happens when we understand its foundational nature and see it as the right thing to do regardless of feelings. I have to keep my eyes focused on these realities. I think that's what works for me and works for you. Truth has to be the foundation, the focus to stay on the path. This is a constant mission, not a milestone, but a process...I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God...
