While it is that the term “Human Being” explains who we are, “being human” is the unique characteristic that describes our place in the world as a species. One of the traits of being human is “love and belonging”. Yet many of us do not feel that love and belonging in our life right now. Perhaps rather than seeking that love and belonging from therapies, medications or supplements all we need is a no cost, free change of perspective.
Humans inherently need several physical items to survive in life. Things like food, water, air and well…. clothing (although to some that’s optional). But we have emotional needs as well and one of those primary needs is the feeling of being loved. Yet many of us do not experience that warm fuzzy feeling of being loved “just as we are” due to our own flaws or shortcomings. We are made to feel inferior and unworthy of love sometimes by those closest to us.
I tend to base my writing through these blog posts on the physical aspects of preventative health and what it takes to stay in balance physically to reach the goal of optimal health. Most specifically I address those things that generally encompass the use of preventative keys to health that surround the use of thermography or ultrasound. But when you think about the overall balance and wellbeing of what we are as humans it would be an oversight to not mention or consider the health of our emotional wellbeing and to provide some healthy tips on how to work toward balance in that area of life.
Many have heard me say that life balance is like a “3-legged stool”. It is impossible to sit on if one leg of our stool is not holding up as the whole stool is out of balance. The “legs” consist of lifestyle, stress and environment. Stress specifically can be made up of physical attributes in our body that include the pressure that certain foods and bodily injury can put on us, but so can the exposure to emotional stressors. Worry over circumstances brought on by our friends, family and coworkers can create a type of “chronic stress” that over time becomes physical by way of inflammation, illness, depression or anxiety. The physical manifestation of stress can often be seen as an imbalance in thermography imaging (increased inflammation = increased heat causing “change over time” from a baseline). The connection truly is real, and it can often boil down to the basic need and want to be loved by those around us.
What does it take to be loved?
How can we endeavor to cultivate love in our life to restore balance?
I believe it starts by accepting the love of our Creator. Before we can accept or be loved by others, we need to find ourselves worthy of the love our God has given to us first. It is important to understand that much like a loving human father accepts and forgives their child unconditionally, our Heavenly Father does the same. No matter how far down we think we have fallen on the ladder of failures to not “earn” or be deserving of love, He is there to surround us with His love and acceptance of us just as we are. That’s true love and the knowledge of that love, in turn, empowers us to love others – a divine miracle indeed.
In this life, many people will tell us to “love one another”, but only God can give us the power to do so! Once we start to live as if we know and are loved by God, it changes our entire perspective on loving others regardless of how they treat us. Understanding that others have the inherent need to feel loved, just as you do, can drastically change your way of dealing with the emotional stress that an ugly situation can bring on in our day-to-day life. What if that coworker that always has to show you up in front of your boss is really filled with fear over their own ability to perform and they are using that fear to make themselves look better. Is it a lack of love for you or is it that the situation is built out of their own fear and insecurities possibly brought on by a spouse who has made them feel unable, unworthy and unloved?
Understanding the lack of love projected toward us from this perspective can make you look at the situation differently when you, yourself, feel God’s love and live as if you do. Suddenly, you begin to understand that the lack of love being projected on to you is not really you as the central focus but rather their feeling of the lack of love themselves – what a twist! Now because you are “living loved” that form of emotional behavior is no longer a stress to you. You see it as it is and amazingly, in return, you are now able to project love onto that person. Truly a God-given ability to love someone even though they show no love to you.
As we cross into the upcoming season of Christmas this year, it is my hope that you will take a good look at the emotional stress in your life and be able to change your perspective on it (if you have not already) as you ponder your upcoming new year. This excerpt from Max Lucado’s booklet entitled “A Love Worth Giving to You at Christmas” * can sum up just how to bring about optimal emotional balance in your life journey.
“My prayer for you this season of giving is that you will receive
God’s love and accept your place as a dearly loved child in this heavenly
family. Accept the love that came in the form of a newborn babe. Accept
the forgiveness and grace bought for you through the cruel, nail-piercing
reality of the cross. Accept his love won for you through the victory
of his resurrection. Let this love worth giving fill you, flood you,
and change you forever.
Live in the knowledge and acceptance of this love. Live loved.
Remember, God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so.
He loves you when you don’t feel lovely.
He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you,
divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you. Always.
No matter what. It is love worth giving.
To you.”
If you struggle with “chronic emotional stress”, reach out to me for additional help and support to get you back on track continuing to strive for optimal health in your “awake living journey”.
Peace and Good (Emotional) Health to you in 2025!
Rhonda
*Want to read Max’s booklet – send me an email and I will send you a copy by mail.
