Reflections on emotional wellness
EMOTIONAL wellness, but for the severely unwell, is something you can monitor yourself, much like you can take your own blood pressure.
Most of us have good and not-sogood days.
May this column lead you to reflection and to a day of greater joy and emotional health. Please don’t use these lists to classify others, but only to reflect on your own behaviour and habits. Nobody is healthy all the time; few are unhealthy all the time.
Healthy people: Promote freedom and discovery. Are open and clear about expectations. Move on efficiently after disappointment.
Forgive others after consideration.
Are aware they can be misguided and are open to correction. Are steered and guided from inner values and ambitions. Are grateful to others and know how much they need others. Try to keep their word – truth is important to them.
Less healthy people: Display jealousy and possessiveness. Revel in secrecy and gossip. Collect scars and wounds and hurts like trophies. Hold on to resentments and anger for years, even decades. Have to be right and win arguments. Are shaped by outside pressures and by others. Try to appear self-made, as if they need no help from anyone – or they “leech” off others as if they are the responsibility of their friends. They tell lies quite easily, as if it’s normal.