Know who you are
One of the problems with being an empath is being overwhelmed with many emotions and feelings all at once.
It can be likened to being a receiver that is receiving a dozen different broadcasts at the same time. Too much information is incoming, and you don't know where one begins and the other ends.
This might be the experience of the newly awakened empath. One who has no idea what is really happening, and finds themselves unable to cope with the ceaseless amounts of mostly negative feelings and emotions.
So how do you start to take control of you, who is the receiver. What can be done to help tune out what you do not wish to receive, and only receive what you want, when you want, from who you want?
Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy solution to this, though the younger you are, and the less trauma you've had during your life, and the more support you've received, the easier things will be.
And while tools, such as the wonderful Bach Flower Remedies will help you on your journey, the question still remains, how do I even start?
One of the keys is to know where you begin and end. It's about knowing who you are and defining your boundaries and limits.
Here are some techniques I've found to be useful in that regard.
Be completely honest with yourself.
This is more challenging than you may think. It's not unusual for people to have one motive, while pretending another, even to themselves.
We hold an image of ourselves that, while idealistic and who we wish to be, may not be quite who we are at this point of time.
You may be doing something for what appears on the surface as altruistic reasons, and you might tell yourself that, but often there's a motive you've hidden, even from yourself.
These reasons, even if you do deny them, still exist, and pretending otherwise does not change anything. They will not cease to exist because you wish them to do so. In fact, they will fester and grow, especially when kept in the darkness of your that part of your mind where you lock away secrets from yourself, eventually becoming malignant and causing havoc in your life.
One example that springs to me, was when I was having problems with a staff member at work. She wasn't being cooperative, or turning up, or doing the work, which I ended up having to do. I was making a case to have her dismissed, and I was telling myself that this was for the good of the company and my department. However, my guides pointed out to me that the real reason I was doing this was because I was angry at this lady, and I wanted her gone. And while I could justify what I was doing six ways from Sunday, the fact was that this was really what was driving me on.
I had hidden that fact from myself, because myself image was one of a person who did not act in this way. But I was, and regardless of how justified I may have been, I still had to accept this and admit it.
Interesting enough, once I did, the desire to have her dismissed faded, and though it was many years ago, this person is still with us even though she has not shown any improvement. And while I am frustrated from time to time, I don't pretend I am otherwise.
Another example was once I was picked up for walking across a railway line that had no train coming. But, as the lights were flashing, for the other side, I was still fined $200.00 for this indiscretion. In fact, I could have driven across in my car, and been fined less, or if I had robbed a house, and attacked the occupants, I would have probably gotten off with a slap on the wrist.
I fought this for months, and fumed that I, a law abiding citizen, (and I can't actually recall breaking any laws, apart from going over the speed limit in my late teens) was being made to pay for something so petty. In the end, I had no recourse but the pay the fine, as bringing this to court would have meant paying way more than the $200.00, and there was no real hope of winning, anyway.
But I was still angry, and eventually, after a few weeks, I suddenly understood that the reason I was so angry was that I wanted to be angry. I wasn't just outraged by the sense of injustice, I was making a choice to be angry, and did not wish to be pacified.
Once I understood this, I found that, even though it still irks me about the injustice of such things, I stopped being angry and was able to let it go.
Being honest with yourself is a challenge, and it's doubly so when you are in a relationship, as you often feel admitting weaknesses and problems is akin to being a failure.
We are not failures, though. We only fail when we stop trying. Each experience and issue with have helps to define who we are, and where we wish to go. And it's only when you start to look at yourself with complete honesty that you can start to change those things within yourself that you are not happy with.
Self-observation is a very important part of this process. Watch every move you make. Question it. Ask yourself, is this who I really am, and if not, what is it I am trying to achieve here. And be honest with your answers. You may not always like them, but once you know them, you can start to change them.
