Practice compassionate curiosity about your own behaviors and emotional burdens, asking ‘why am I living this way?’ to understand what you are carrying and gain freedom to make different choices.
Focus on expressing your true self rather than living to impress others, as depending on external validation robs you of self-worth and genuine presence.
Actively seek, strengthen, celebrate, and value friendships and personal relationships, recognizing these connections are what truly matter and are often regretted on deathbeds more than work achievements.
Adopt a ’no regrets’ mindset by understanding that you always did your best given your past context, learning from situations without dwelling on chronic, debilitating self-accusation.
Cultivate the capacity to be happy and content even when there is heartache and suffering in the world, as personal contentment allows you to be more effective in helping others and is not disloyal to suffering.
Actively work to let go of loyalty to your own suffering and past traumas, acknowledging them without allowing them to dictate your present internal states.
Engage in forgiveness not for the other person, but for your own liberation from emotional tension, constriction, and the physical and emotional cost of holding onto unforgiveness.
Before attempting forgiveness, allow yourself to fully feel and experience any anger present within you, as this process of attention can lead to its natural dissipation.
Regularly reflect on areas in your life where you are suppressing a ’no’ for the sake of pleasing others, as this self-suppression can lead to increased stress, burden, and negative health consequences.
Pay attention to what your body is saying ’no’ to, especially during times of hormonal changes or stress, as these insights can lead to wisdom and better health rather than suffering.
Actively incorporate play and joy into your life and relationships, as play is a fundamental, evolutionarily determined aspect of human well-being, essential for being present and happy.
Recognize that your value is intrinsic and innate, not dependent on achievements or external qualities, to avoid constantly needing to prove your existence.
If diagnosed with an illness, allow it to serve as a catalyst for self-awareness, learning, and making changes that can lead to a better quality of life.
If you find yourself consistently overworking or not taking entitled leave, reflect on the unconscious needs or childhood traumas that might be driving this behavior, rather than genuine necessity.
Strive to achieve your purpose and share your insights without the excessive drivenness that sacrifices personal connection and heart, recognizing that impact can be made without self-consumption.
As you grow older, focus on growth in wisdom, appreciation for life, and understanding what truly matters, rather than solely chronological progression.
Provide children with the freedom to experience and express all their emotions for healthy brain development, validating their feelings without punishing them.
Be an authoritative parent by being in charge, validating children’s emotions, holding them through difficult feelings, and teaching age-appropriate expression, ensuring they feel loved throughout.
Advocate for and create calm environments with present parents and good nutrition during early childhood, recognizing its profound impact on a child’s mental and physical health decades later.
Medical professionals should acknowledge the inextricable link between emotions and physical health, address their own emotional well-being, and, if not personally trained, refer patients to explore these connections with specialists.