Emina Karamanovski, MD - Emotional Fitness & Intelligence

Toronto, June 8, 2011 EMOTIONAL LITERACY

Emina — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:36:33 +0000

EMOTIONAL LITERACY

Embrace Your Emotional Intelligence

Do you find your self at a lack of words when you want to express your feelings? Are you tired of feeling emotionally flustered?
Do you want to master the ability to express and communicate your emotions with clarity and precision?

If your answer to one or more questions is yes, then this seminar is for you.

Emotional Literacy is the ability to understand and use the language of emotions deliberately. This seminar will give you the tools to identify and translate your feelings into words easily and effortlessly …especially when you need them the most. It will help you learn how to bridge the gap between words and feelings.

ACCESS YOUR INNER WISDOM

WHEN: Wednesday June 8th, 2011 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

WHERE: Timothy’s World Coffee, 2098 Yonge

(2 blocks south of Eglington) click for directions

FEE : $10 per person

HOST: Steve (The Soul City Social Club)

RSVP : eminaemotions@yahoo.com

INFO: wwww.emina.net

EMBRACE YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

What Are You Hungry For?

Emina — Sun, 15 May 2011 16:04:59 +0000

What a relief! I’m not the only one who has some crazy eating spurts. I’m talking about the urge to eat that overcomes you and for a few hours or a few days you are like a different person. Then later when the urge passes, you look back at yourself and your behavior wondering what got into you. I’m talking about the type of eating when you swallow food so fast that you barely taste it, or the type when you snack insatiably, eating something sweet, then salty, then fruit, then something sweet again, over and over.

I was in the midst of my eating tsunami when I came upon a realization that my hunger was different than usual. As I asked myself a question what was I hungry for, it hit me. For a week, I have been falling behind on promises I made to myself, which was leaving me filled with self-criticism and fear of judgment. Reflecting on my feelings made me realize that my insatiable hunger was actually my craving for kindness and compassion. I was craving feelings of satisfaction, praise or to know that I’m safe even if I don’t check off all items on my to do list in a timely manner. If my friend was in the same situation, I would not hesitate to provide her with sympathy and support. So, I decide to give to myself kindness. I imagined situations that would bring up feelings of self-acceptance, satisfaction, safety and self-love. And it worked! My unappeasable hunger melted away. This is my challenge to you – next time you are eating nervously, ask yourself what are you really hungry for, then fill yourself up with feelings instead of food.

FRE*E Workshop- Dallas, Sunday April 17,2011

Emina — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:39:29 +0000

HOW TO MAKE POWERFUL DECISIONS

Do you feel tired of making decisions that never stick?
Are you feeling frustrated at attempting yet another diet because you don’t want to feel disappointed…again?
Do you feel like no matter what approach you take, your decision does not feel strong enough?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, know that you are not alone. Every day we are presented with thousands of decisions to make. While some decisions are easy to make, others can be a struggle or can weigh us down.

In this workshop, you’ll learn an easy three-step process to decision-making that will show you how to put more power in your willpower so that you can make high-impact decisions – and follow through with them. In addition you’ll discover innovative, easy-to-learn techniques for making left-brain/right-brain decisions that are smart, timely and effective. Gain insights into the complex process of decision making and, as a result, you’ll be able to glean the right information, appraise any situation more effectively and assume any role with greater confidence and success.

BRING YOUR TEEN OR ADULT CHILDREN WITH YOU!

WHEN Sunday, April 17, 2011 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

WHERE The Clubroom at the Shelton (a high rise condominium) Complimentary Valet

5909 Luther Lane, Dallas 75225

RSVP eminaemotions@yahoo.com

INFO www.emina.net

FEE F*R*E*E

Decisions That Stick

Emina — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:47:06 +0000

Do you feel tired of making decisions that never stick? Are you feeling frustrated at attempting yet another diet because you don’t want to feel disappointed…again? Do you feel like no matter what approach you take, your decision does not feel strong enough? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, know that you are not alone. Everyone, at one time in their lifetime had to learn how to make better decisions. For a few years, I used eating to alter my feelings. Unhappy with my life situation and ineffective in my attempts to change it, my life felt out of control and deprived of enjoyment. Eating somehow became my enjoyment and reward for my “emotional suffering.”

Aware that overeating was not good for my health, and unsatisfied with my physical condition, I would often make the decision to go on a diet. However, my resolutions never lasted long. Failing in my efforts raised guilt and frustration about my weak will. I felt trapped in a vicious cycle; eating would provide me with an instant sense of control and satisfaction, but immediately after I finished my last bite, I would feel weaker and more out of control. My addiction wasn’t to the food items, but to my sense of freedom and power to choose to eat. Because of my unhappiness with my life situation, my self-esteem was low, causing me to feel powerless. The lower my self-esteem, the stronger the need I felt to eat. Until one day … I became aware that food gave me short-term satisfaction and long-term misery. In addition to being unhappy with my life, I was unsatisfied with myself too. My willpower was in a tug-of-war. I felt fake because I promoted a healthy lifestyle in my profession, but I was doing something contradictory to my professional and personal values. I felt injustice because I could not do what I wanted … until I accepted what I really desired. I wanted to feel proud, confident and satisfied about my life and myself.

I associated munching with misery and sticking to my decision with satisfaction. I associated my “huger” with lack of faith and creativity to change my situation, and started referring to it as my “wake-up call.” Whenever I felt “hungry,” it was an opportunity to choose to be a coward or a hero, to choose munching or look deeper to find a solution for my situation. My attention shifted from the desire to satisfy my munchies to the desire to feel good about myself, and the temptation and inner struggle significantly diminished. Once able to expand my thinking, I discovered that, in fact, I could change my situation.

Whenever you question the strength of your willpower, remember that you are being presented with an opportunity to grow as a person. Whether you are struggling with being overweight, impulsive shopping, or being a people pleaser, you can change your “weakness.” Avoid choices that would bring you release. The sense of tension and release are the indicators of a “wrong” choice. Whenever you are torn between choices, ask yourself which choice would give you more personal pride… and choose that one. Then, making choices that would make you feel proud of yourself becomes natural and almost effortless.

Newletter March 2010

Emina — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:40:57 +0000

IS HAPPINESS OVERRATED?

When questioned what we want from life, most often we hear the following answer: “I just want to be happy.” When mother asked about her child, she often answers: “All I want for my child is to be happy.” Media and society are promoting happiness as something we deserve, suggesting that we could not live without it, and that we should pursue it at all times. However, the relentless search for happiness may be doing us more harm than good…read more

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY

Your Messenger of Expectations

Emina — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:19:23 +0000

Frustration is a messenger that can help you discover your expectations. Even at times when we think we do not have specific expectations, we do. For example, let’s say you asked someone to perform a task for you. You desire the task to be finished quickly and you unconsciously set an expectation for the task to be performed within a day or two. Then, as you express your request, you also say politely “take your time,” unaware that you are expressing an expectation that is not congruent with your desire. Days pass by and you start feeling frustration because the person is not performing the task at the speed of your unconscious expectation, taking too long to fulfill your request. In this situation, the feeling of frustration can help you uncover the incongruence between your thoughts and actions. Only then do you have any hope of creating a better outcome.

This is why you must always be mindful of your expectations. When misunderstandings arise, ask yourself if you were clear about your expectations, and whether you communicated them clearly to others.

Water and Emotions e-book

Emina — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:02:23 +0000

Have you ever questioned what it is that you are sensing when experiencing happiness or sadness, pride or shame? Or what really happens when you feel “moved”? Our internal experience of emotions is strikingly similar to the way we experience water… read more

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY Water and Emotions_e-book

What is your life? Boring or exciting?

Emina — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:22:33 +0000

Bill, a good friend of mine, once told me a story that when he moved from Catholic to public school he was sitting stunned in a class witnessing students misbehaving and getting away with it. Later on, he got used to “new norms” and adjusted his attitude and expectations accordingly. My experience is different yet somewhat similar. Moving from Serbia to Canada in 1991, I came from a rigid European educational system where professors were the authority on their subjects, to a more relaxed North American approach to education where professors are there to share information. I remember the first time I took some courses and witnessed students disputing the professor’s knowledge openly, while the professor, shrugging his shoulders, continues the lecture leaving us, the students perplexed. I remember wondering whether to trust his information. If he didn’t stand behind it, should I? I also wondered, if he doesn’t care, should I? And, how could I be inspired to go the extra mile in a class, when my professor is shirking his responsibility to engage the class and defend his position?

Fast forward to today. Millions of people watched an interview posted on Youtube with Charlie Sheen, when he talks about using drugs as an accomplishment and a service to society. In his words, “I am proud what I have created. It was radical. I exposed people to magic, something that they would never see in their normal boring lives.” This interview not only flooded our news, but Charlie Sheen gained more popularity. This time, the media and our society stunned both Bill and me. What are we looking to gain by watching or reading such nonsensical interviews? What happened with our values and standards? Have we become rubberneck people, living through someone else’s excitement and passion?

If you are feeling your “normal life is boring”, start a list of things that you enjoy tasting, doing, and experiencing. Add to the list something to overcome… A fear or discomfort, and then something that makes you feel childlike. Take one thing from your list per week to experience intentionally, so that you can feel proud of yourself, more alive. Toronto is covered with snow today. I’m going to attend to my emails, then go outside to be childlike for few minutes, make snow angels and giggle. How about you?

Toronto, Wednesday March 30, 2011 Emotional Fitness Seminar

Emina — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:35:11 +0000

The Soul City Social Club is hosting:

EMOTIONAL FITNESS: Learn how to manage any stressful situation

Everybody knows that unmanaged emotions are detrimental to your health, your happiness and your career. When emotionally upset or stressed, we act in ways that often do not represent our true selves.

This presentation was designed to help us better understand and manage our emotions.

* Become emotionally fit and you will be able to deal with life’s challenges from a place of inner strength and balance

* Discover the real purpose of your emotions and how you CAN transform them into faithful servant

* You will gain the ability to resolve conflicts quicker and avoid the sand traps of self-condemnation, anger and resentment

* Learn how to manage any stressful situation in less than 3 minutes. You will be surpised how easy it can be!!!

Yes, you CAN be who you want to be and live at peace with yourself and those around you.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FLYER Toronto March 30

WHERE: Timothys World Coffee 2098 Yonge (2 blocks south of Eglinton) Toronto, ON

WHEN: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 7:30 pm

FEE: $ 10 per person

RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/SoulCity/events/16784523/ OR eminaemotions@yahoo.com

HOST: Steve (The Soul City Social Club)

Friendly Reminders:

*Arrive at 7:30 PM for informal mix & mingling
**The event begins at 8:00 PM and goes to 10:00 PM
- One beverage or snack minimum is required upon arrival to support the venue and staff

-Parking found on Yonge Street and free parking in residential area (2 minute walk south from Yonge & Eglinton station)

Job or Opportunity?

Emina — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:10:18 +0000

I have an uncanny passion for work. To this day, I get surprised to hear some people say, “a job is just a job.” I don’t know if I am more disappointed with their way of thinking or their feelings. Hearing that a job is just a job, I sense heaviness and mental and spiritual boredom, so I feel sorry for their missed opportunities to live lives that are more enjoyable. Then I get the urge to tell them what I am about to share with you.

Our perception shapes our feelings. The way we perceive what we do for work affects how we feel about it and how much we enjoy life overall. For me, working provides opportunities for me to learn, find solutions, make a difference, maintain standards, overcome challenges and more. It gives me the opportuinty to discover, develop and express my skills. And, I sincerely enjoy working.

If you are willing to have a new experience about your work, start looking at is as a perfect playground for your skills. Ask yourself, what are the skills you are using at work that you are enjoying? What are the opportunities your work environment provides for you that otherwise you would not have? It could be as simple as enjoying helping others by connecting them with the right people or right information, or fixing a problem that seems simple and small to you but enormous to someone else.