This past month we focused on change. I talked about how to establish a positive mindset around change and that change needs to be embraced as a constant and as a healthy and meaningful part of life. You can ride the energy of good will and intention to help fuel change, while accepting the ebb and flow of change. It is best to put your journey of change in a flexible framework that works for you. Change is a process and change starts within you.

And within you and so integral to what makes you, well, you, are your emotions. Change and its process–even when working in a gentle framework–will trigger many emotions. Sometimes we work so hard to cling onto the rational and the factual. We fight our emotions, and sometimes suppress or hide them. The range of emotions and their intensity and impact are natural. It is best to flow with the emotions you are feeling.

A mindset shift to one that acknowledges emotions as beautiful and natural needs to be part of the change process. All emotions — joy, sorrow, happiness, calm, peace, fear, anger, hurt, etc.– are part of the process of change, especially in ongoing self discovery. And it is so important to truly pay attention to them in real time and not put them is a “place” where you will deal with them later or ignore them. The circle of emotions is something that we can’t short-circuit, rush or avoid. Emotions need to flow, and they will ebb and flow like the ocean waves through your change process.

As you go through your process of change remember that the emotions you are feeling are expected and normal. Your emotions, especially when you have a concerted effort for change, may seem more intense and raw. This is OK. It means that you are getting in-tune with your emotions and noting how they impact you and those around you. This helps you work through the process of change and leads you to self discovery.

With this, it is so important and meaningful to reflect on your emotions and to help yourself understand what is at the source of them. This should be integrated into your framework for change. It is important to take time to feel what your are feeling, and to reflect on these feelings. It is also important–admittedly not always easy–to let go of negativity that may surround your emotions.

Reflection will help you softly move through your change process. Through reflection you will have sometimes small and at times profound discoveries about yourself. These self discoveries are the building blocks of your change. So–take time everyday to quietly reflect on your emotions and embrace them as catalysts for change the comes from within you.