Keeping myself emotionally fit is as important as my physical workout. Feeling good in my body is a high priority for me. How I look and feel takes daily practice as I use my “Pocket Guide to Your Heart” formula to take care of emotional issues and tensions that cause barriers to my open heart. Self-worth issues, fears, anger and resentment stop me from being authentic and attractive. My INNER WORKOUT helps me create healthy relationships and communication. When I am emotionally fit, every aspect of my life flows better with my family and my career.

One day I did a seminar that I called “The Inner Workout” at a fitness club. It was all about getting in touch with and getting rid of the heaviness we carry inside. The seminar was mostly on anger and how we suppress it and carry it around, how it can leak out, or how it can be projected when you least expect it. I was just getting comfortable with the group when the receptionist ran in and asked for my help. A woman was very upset and yelling at her. The step class she usually attended had been cancelled and replaced by my seminar. We could all hear this woman screaming.

I excused myself from the group and approached the woman calmly and asked her what she was upset about. She was projecting her anger all over the place! Suddenly the receptionist engaged with the woman and they both started yelling at each other. I separated them and explained to the woman that this seminar had been advertised for two months and I was sorry that she was so upset. I suggested that maybe she would benefit from the seminar, which was about dealing with anger. She wanted no part of it and huffed off. The receptionist then hurried away. When I returned to the seminar, I explained that this had not been staged; however, it was a perfect example of what suppressed anger could do.

After the seminar, I talked to the receptionist, who felt bad about her behavior. I reminded her that she must have had some anger that was triggered by the woman. I suggested that she could now own her anger that had been ignited, try to stay centered and calm, and not allow anyone to take their anger out on her.

When someone is in such an intense emotional state, try not to engage with them. Anger is a very toxic ingredient to add to any experience or relationship. Projecting anger is never appropriate and if we have not taken care of our emotions, communication can become highly charged. If one person in the situation can remain calm and unaffected, the other person has the choice to remember the peace instead of the anger. Standing up for yourself, setting boundaries and speaking from a strong sense of self-worth can empower you.

I later found the unhappy, angry woman on the Stairmaster. I approached her with a big smile, thanking her for being the example for my seminar. She stopped and said, “What do you mean?” I replied: “The seminar was about anger and projecting it on others.” I added, “What would you have done at that moment of rage if your son had come out of the playroom and tugged at your sleeve? What would you have done with him? What would your child have felt from you?” In a quiet voice she asked: “What could I have done?” I replied: “You could have owned your anger and not given it to anyone, and maybe come to the seminar.

Believe me, the whole experience was perfect for everyone to see. You played your role to show us all a picture of what we can do in our life. So thank you for being a great example for my seminar.” She did come to the evening program and realized that this kind of misbehavior happens a lot in her life. She started to own her anger and by not suppressing it or projecting it, she learned to take care of it.

It is our responsibility to take care of our unhealthy emotions. Releasing the heaviness of suppressed emotions strengthens our self-worth muscle. Take the time to be emotionally fit and inspire your world.