Your internal thermostat
Posted by Bob Miller at 6/7/2010 6:31 AM 
Categories: Emotions
Tags: healthy living inspiration stroke support
Categories: Emotions
Tags: healthy living inspiration stroke support
Most homes in developed countries are equipped with a thermostat.
The thermostat raises or lowers the temperature of the house to a specified preset degree regardless of the temperature outside.
This device has absolutely no control of the weather outside. There could be a heat wave or sub freezing conditions.
It doesn't matter, a well functioning thermostat will regulate the temperature on the inside for you despite the conditions outside.
What about you? Do you have such a device that enables you to determine how you react to outside influences?
Just like the thermostat has no say in the conditions on the outside, we are also confronted with daily elements that enter our life.
How do you react when someone offends you, or cuts you off while driving?
How do you react if you receive some disturbing news?
Because we have little control of all outside events, wouldn't it be beneficial to at least have the final say in our own emotions?
We have wide range of possible emotions available for us to choose between Joy & Happiness and Fear & Depression.
Given that choice most people, I would imagine would choose the former over the latter.
It is possible even during the course of a single day that are emotions could fluctuate between both ends of that scale.
It's like the old adage our life is determined by 10% of what happens but 90% of how we react.
Have you thought about setting your inner thermostat to a preset emotion?
You do have the choice to to how you react. How you respond is in your hands only.
Don't you think it would be wise to preset your emotions at Positive Expectations?
When you feel anger, rage blame,doubt, worry or any of the other negative emotions that do nothing to serve you,
think of your inner thermostat and move the lever to Positive Expectations.
Try it for one day and see how it works for you. It may very well be difficult for you at first but through practice you will improve.
Bob Miller
The Stroke Coach
The thermostat raises or lowers the temperature of the house to a specified preset degree regardless of the temperature outside.
This device has absolutely no control of the weather outside. There could be a heat wave or sub freezing conditions.
It doesn't matter, a well functioning thermostat will regulate the temperature on the inside for you despite the conditions outside.
What about you? Do you have such a device that enables you to determine how you react to outside influences?
Just like the thermostat has no say in the conditions on the outside, we are also confronted with daily elements that enter our life.
How do you react when someone offends you, or cuts you off while driving?
How do you react if you receive some disturbing news?
Because we have little control of all outside events, wouldn't it be beneficial to at least have the final say in our own emotions?
We have wide range of possible emotions available for us to choose between Joy & Happiness and Fear & Depression.
Given that choice most people, I would imagine would choose the former over the latter.
It is possible even during the course of a single day that are emotions could fluctuate between both ends of that scale.
It's like the old adage our life is determined by 10% of what happens but 90% of how we react.
Have you thought about setting your inner thermostat to a preset emotion?
You do have the choice to to how you react. How you respond is in your hands only.
Don't you think it would be wise to preset your emotions at Positive Expectations?
When you feel anger, rage blame,doubt, worry or any of the other negative emotions that do nothing to serve you,
think of your inner thermostat and move the lever to Positive Expectations.
Try it for one day and see how it works for you. It may very well be difficult for you at first but through practice you will improve.
Bob Miller
The Stroke Coach
Hi Coach Bob,
You really caught my interest with this blog.The idea of an emotional thermostat
that you can preset is a great metaphor....simple to understand and immediately creates a vision of the individual being in control.
As you correctly pointed out, outside events are happening all the time and some of them are going to impact some particular individual. Then the question immediately becomes what should the reaction be? In many cases it's visceral, your emotions just immediately take over and suddenly you find yourself reacting in a way that later on, you are either not proud of or you realize that it was counter productive. So, it's helpful to accept the fact that its not the event itself that is important, it's how you choose to react. The word choose implies control. And of course a preset emotional thermostat gives you that control.....not of the outside event, but of how you respond to it. Soon, you learn two things about yourself....that positive serves you better than negative, so if there is frequently negative self talk going on inside you,that's an issue you want to recognize and to replace with yes and positives. Secondly, after awhile, you will come to recognize that each of us has an inner tool box containing the wherewithal to help you use your innate power to BE, DO, HAVE anything you wish.
But all in time....one step at a time,living in the NOW, celebrating each successful step you take to degrade that "stroke that sucks" in your life.
And it can all start with that emotional thermostat.
What a positive thought to remind yourself about everyday.
Coach Bob is a master at pinpointing helpful , practical steps that will really make a difference.
Can't wait to see what you offer next, Coach Bob.
Jerry J (Relationship Coach)
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Bob, ghank you for writing such a thought-provoking blog. In it you ask, <
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Bob,
Thank you much for the great "thermostat" metaphor to provide moment-to-moment emotional guidance. I definitely will share your model in my coaching work.
It goes particularly well with mindfulness practice.
Thanks for a great post. Keep 'em coming, Coach Bob!
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