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Renii Modisette • April 2, 2023

The truth is stress is inevitable, but if one isn’t managing their stress, it will affect how one shows up daily and eventually an individual’s physical body. I don’t mean show-up as in I’ve arrived because I am obligated to, or I need this paycheck, so here I am. I mean, show up authentically despite frustration, irritation, or ambivalence. When I am afflicted with more than the normal stressors, my mind constantly analyzes the situation, but I immediately turn to three (3) solutions to help manage stress:

 

1.     It is okay to feel emotions.

Be engaged in what is happening at the moment, whether pleasant or not. Disengaging does not alleviate the burden but instead gives it legs to hold space in the mind. Holding space to contemplate could have, would have, or should have. Those contemplations are meaningless but may result in prompting a reaction—a harsh response that is not so pleasant for you or the person on the receiving end.

 

2.     Take a breath.

Engage your mind with breathing as your focal point. Take an opportunity to send the breath to the areas of your body that are heightened to begin to deactivate fight or flight yet stimulate the body to find your calm amid chaos.

 

3.     Refuel your body and brain.

Consider what you really need. Is it a healthier food option or a play food option? A sip of water, then a one-minute visualization meditation. Refueling may involve all these options, but taking the time to do it is essential. It is vital to allow the opportunity to control your response or your reaction. It removes the daggers from your tongue to replace it with kindness. A kindness extended to yourself, as well as others. This chain reaction is empathy, which we all deserve.

 

I remember using a stressful situation to unleash my irritation about many things, plus the current situation. Most often, the snarky mood was directed toward someone close to me simply because they were there, in proximity. It does not make it right, but the reality is it happened. Over the years, I’ve learned that it is nobody’s fault that I’m stressed or that they are stressed. Instead, it is the reality of being human. It is the reality of existing in a fast-paced world with responsibilities and a to-do list. I’ve since changed my To-Do List to my Desire List. From there, I set small goals for the hour and the day. More importantly, I give myself grace because, God willing, I can resume the next day.

 

LEAN INTO:CouRagE EMBRACE: Honesty, Bravery, and Perseverance

By Renii Modisette • December 27, 2024
We begin to say goodbye to 2024 with cooler temperatures and yuletide attitudes as December ends. One thing is sure: self-regulation starts with the Self despite all else. In the last blog for 2024, I explore the sixth and final virtue, Courage, as well as three character strengths: Honesty, Bravery, and Perseverance, with the pendulum swinging both ways as a reminder we can make it through the first starting with Self. A great conclusion to the MTO Lean-in Series, which focuses on character strengths and virtues from the VIA Institute. I had initially planned to finish this series in October, but I found myself overwhelmed with school and work. I had convinced myself that I could push through despite feeling fatigued. However, I realized that the virtue of Courage also encompasses the character strength of Honesty. It was time for me to be honest with myself, which meant reevaluating the narrative I had created in my head. So, I took a break and reframed my internal dialogue to accept my revised story to remind myself that the pendulum swings both ways, so I must put myself first and focus on myself to overcome a self-imposed narrative that pushing through is the best way. I challenge you, amidst this season of giving and gratitude, to be honest with yourSELF—it's a personal journey. Is being honest with yourself a sign of bravery? Depending on who you ask, you might get different answers. In my opinion, yes, we are often harder on ourSELVES than anyone else is. Bravery is usually defined as resilience, facing fears, and not shrinking in the face of a threat or challenge. So, why can't SELF be a challenge? To help you navigate this solitary journey of self-awareness, consider the following statement:  "I AM in charge of how I react to others. I choose to respond in a positive way."

Where are you on the tightrope? MTO Lean-in Series, Part IV

By Renii Modisette • October 13, 2024
Hello October! Q4 is in full swing, with MTO KPIs still at the forefront. It feels like I was saying "Happy New Year" just yesterday. Towards the end of June, I began the MTO Lean-in Series, which focuses on character strengths and virtues from the VIA Institute. I learned about the character strengths and virtues while completing my Positive Psychology Practitioner studies and found them intriguing, especially in relation to enhancing my mindfulness practice. So far, I've covered Temperance, Transcendence, Humanity, and Justice. This month, I'll be discussing the fifth virtue, Wisdom, as well as three character strengths: Judgment, Curiosity, and Perspective. I'll then conclude the series with the sixth virtue in the November blog post. For more information on VIA's character strengths, please visit the VIA Institute website at https://www.viacharacter.org. WISDOM Let’s begin with I've coined the Wisdom Tightrope when discussing the virtue of Wisdom because it involves a balancing act depending on the situation. The first character strength, Judgment, is rooted in critical thinking to counteract faulty thinking and biased opinions. When overused, Judgment can lead to narrow-mindedness, and when underused, one isn't reflective enough. Ironically, it is often frowned upon to judge ourselves and others, yet our analytical mind somehow gets in the way, which allows us to debate whether something that is frowned upon should be up for discussion.

MTO Lean In Series: Part III

By Renii Modisette • September 2, 2024
This month's blog post features Part III of the MTO Lean in Series. In this edition, we discuss the virtue of Justice and two-character strengths. To learn more about VIA character strengths, please visit the VIA Institute.
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