Crystal Andrus Morissette: The Emotional Edge
Crystal Andrus Morissette: Our level of communication reveals how we are showing up in the world; it is the easiest indicator of our Emotional Age. But communicating our true needs can be incredibly difficult, and many of us fall into unhealthy and self-limiting patterns and behaviors. Some people are afraid to ask directly for what they need, and they adopt passive-aggressive methods rather than being honest. Other people demand what they want so aggressively that they lose the ability to connect and inevitably, they rob themselves of their own needs and desires. The trouble is, few of us witnessed Empowered Communication while growing up—where the goal is a comfortable exchange between people who are able to express themselves freely and to find a place where both their needs are met. Empowered Communication is the most important aspect of all relationships—including the one we have with ourselves. But it can’t occur unless we are emotionally empowered—feeling good from within, that is, having peace of mind.
OMTIMES: You talk about ‘facing your fear’ in The Emotional Edge. Can you tell us why you believe this is the missing link in finding our happiness?
Crystal Andrus Morissette: Yes! Absolutely! Something I want you to know is that facing fear is a mental game. As soon as you realize that you are infinitely more powerful than your fear is, it will never again have power over you! You see, fear never wants you to realize how small and false it truly is because its strength lies in your believing it is stronger than it is. This is how you give your power away. This is how fear wins. I understand the idea of facing anything negative—especially the negativity within—is scary, but let me assure you: although fear is a bastard, you can rise through it and come out the other side to a more beautiful, empowered place. Facing our fear is the missing piece to our finding happiness! Most of us have a whole gamut of buried emotions that want to rise up and come out. These buried emotions need to be freed. They’ve been locked inside of us (and maybe even in our family’s legacy) for a long time. Facing them can be very scary! But don’t worry! Your brilliant brain will allow you to process only a layer or two at a time, so as to not allow you to become too overwhelmed or excessively flooded. If unhappy emotions come up, it’s okay (Although, I know how scary it can be!). Your tears are healing. Cleansing. Releasing. Expanding. If you’ve never felt immobilized by fear, let me explain how restrictive, oppressive, and constrictive it can be: fear makes sane people feel out of control and, sometimes, even as if death is imminent. Imagine believing that something outside of you has the power to hurt you, get you, and take from you.
