专四晨读美文：Clear Your Mental Space

Clear Your Mental Space
Think about the last time you felt a negative emotion-
like stress, anger, or frustration.
What was going through your mind
as you were going through that negativity?
Was your mind cluttered with thoughts?
Or was it paralyzed, unable to think?
The next time you find yourself
in the middle of a very stressful time,
or you feel angry or frustrated, stop.
Whatever you're doing, stop and sit for one minute.
While you're sitting there,
completely immerse yourself in the negative emotion.
Allow that emotion to consume you.
Allow yourself one minute to truly feel that emotion.
Take the entire minute-but only one minute-
to do nothing else but feel that emotion.
When the minute is over, ask yourself,
"Am I willing to keep holding on to this negative emotion
as I go through the rest of the day?"
Once you've allowed yourself
to be totally immersed in the emotion and really feel it,
you will be surprised to find
that the emotion clears rather quickly.
If you feel you need to hold on to the emotion
for a little longer, that is OK.
Allow yourself another minute to feel the emotion.
When you feel you've had enough of the emotion,
ask yourself if you're willing to carry that negativity with you
for the rest of the day.
If not, take a deep breath.
As you exhale, release all that negativity with your breath.
This exercise seems simple-almost too simple.
But, it is very effective.
By allowing that negative emotion the space to be truly felt,
you are dealing with the emotion
rather than stuffing it down and trying not to feel it.
You are actually taking away the power of the emotion
by giving it the space and attention it needs.
When you immerse yourself in the emotion,
and realize that it is only emotion,
it loses its control.
You can clear your head and proceed with your task.