Most Satisfied Public Group

01/17/2023

Distracted Much?
Question: Do we have enough time?
That’s an uncomfortable question. We seem to be busy until late at night and always have more to do. In fact, there are lots of things we need to do, but we just don’t have enough time.
Or perhaps, we are too distracted.
The Greek word for “anxious” is “distracted.” It’s hard to stay focused on important things when we get bogged down in the little things. I love YouTube shorts and social media, but does that distract me from something more important? And by the way, what is important?
Steven Covey showed us that we can be easily caught up in the unimportant and lose track of the important. And when we do that, we get anxious about things we need to do but seem not to have enough time for. Anxiety is fear about the future, that something unsettling may happen. So, what do we do with this tension?
First, be aware of it. When we get so distracted with the interesting that we don’t have time for the important, our priorities are off. St. Augustine suggested we have “disordered loves” when we don’t have time for what is most important. Ordering our time is an act of honoring God while decreasing our distractions (and anxiety). Funny how that works; the more we put God first the less anxious we are. It’s remarkable how the Bible always proves itself correct when we deal with modern stresses.
What’s amazing is that this all relates back to our emotions. How we self-soothe, or calm ourselves down, reflects our priorities. The idea of self-soothing is related to how we handle life emotionally. When we have too much stress, we try to calm ourselves down with something we enjoy. If your method is eating, then you may gain weight. If your method is drinking, then you may become an alcoholic. If watching social media is your method, then you are "normal."
So, what's your method of self-soothing?
Being aware of your patterns of relaxing is an important part of life. God wants you to be happy, but your method of relaxing usually isn’t his. Social media may be fine, as long as boundaries are placed on it. But when you lose yourself in the “interesting” you end up distracted and, in effect, anxious. This pressure makes us want to self-soothe more, and we go back to the interesting. Before we know it, we can lose a decade of life.
Do you have time for silence? Do you have time for being with God? When was the last time you enjoyed him? Have you allowed Jesus to soothe you?
Allow margin into your life to allow God into your life. Adjusting your schedule can actually be an act of worship.
I

01/17/2023

“Am I that emotional?"

As men, we like to think we don’t struggle with emotions. In fact, if we are real men, we can completely ignore emotions, kind of like when you smash your finger with a hammer and decide to keep working. We ignore the pain and keep doing what is needed. Why? So we can 1) get the job done and 2) brag about your smashed finger to your friends.

“Yeah, I smashed it pretty well, think the fingernail is almost coming off."
"Wow, what did you do?"
"Nothing, I just kept working. Had to get the job done."
And the other men marvel at your manliness. And your “man points” go up in their eyes.

That's what we do with our emotions. We feel hurt by what someone said and simply ignore it. We walk it off. Maybe rub some dirt in it, unless it’s winter and all the dirt is frozen.

That’s NOT how God made you. You are supposed to be hurt when you are rejected or shamed. Ignoring your feelings doesn’t work. Psychologist Joe Dispenza shared, “thoughts are the language of the brain, and feelings are the language of the body.”

So, the question is, are you aware of your body? Not, can you move your body, but are you, right now, aware of your feelings? This is not “girl talk,” this is real.

When emotions are ignored or stuffed in the imaginary basement of our mind, they are actually stuck in the body. When anger is stuffed, it will come out. When loneliness is ignored, it ends up in the body, draining our bodies and our minds. It remains with us physically.

“So, what am I supposed to do about it?”

Answer: Stop. Begin to feel your emotions. When was the last time you were sad? When did you last cry? When have you felt satisfied? How about peace?

You need to turn off the devices and feel. Stop the thoughts (mind) and be aware (physically). Rest. Be in silence. This novel idea can change your life. Be aware of yourself, so you can be fully alive.

God speaks to you through your feelings. If you can’t feel, then you can’t hear. You may be missing out on incredible things God wants to do with you by numbing yourself.

Breathe deeply and rate your stress level. Like a dial on your own dashboard, rate your stress level from 1 (no stress) to 10 (the most stress you ever felt). Read your dashboard and be aware of yourself.

Interested? Contact Andy Eastham at andy@mostsatisfied.net

01/17/2023

“What Do You Mean, It’s All in My Body?”

What makes p**n addiction so powerful? Why are we unable to stop the incredible rush of adrenaline when we want to look at p**n?

There is a growing amount of research showing that emotional triggers are in the body. Peter Levine, in his groundbreaking research on Somatic Experience, has the solution. When the experience of wanting that next buzz is in the body, the solution is…also in the body. This novel idea has a growing amount of research, from which Sara Brewer seems to be benefiting from.

If p**n addiction is emotionally based, then we need to connect with the base of those emotions- which are in the body. Instead of trying to ignore (which worked once in the last 2,000 triggers) or willpower (which worked less) or shame (which increases our relapse), we need to slow down and connect with our own bodies.

Yes, your bodies, your physical bodies. By slowing down your actions and connecting with your own body, you can find an alternative. By using the age-old skill of mindfulness, you can handle temptation; specifically, the emotion of temptation.

Imagine this; it’s 10:30 at night and you are bored. You have a huge external trigger (it’s a perfect time), which set off your internal trigger (emotions in your chest, increased anticipation for release in your body). This situation is ripe for…. relapse!
Now, instead of doing what you often do, STOP. Yes, stop and use mindfulness (a skill you can learn) and teach yourself to rest. Do this skill for 120 seconds. Mindfulness is doing three things; 1) focusing on one thing, usually your body 2) being aware of the here and now (not fears of the past or anxiety of the future), and being 3) non-judgmental. Just be.

The skill is powerful. It can allow you to handle the pressure of temptation, as well as the pressure of…asking a girl out or getting that new job.

Interested? Contact Andy Eastham at andy@mostsatisfied.net

01/15/2023

01/15/2023

Get the help you need to quit p**n

I use the truths of Scripture combined with the science of psychology to help you practice the skills to decrease the power of your triggers to use. Meditation has been used for centuries for the benefit of men and women, and now, using the neurological research offered by experts, I will help you handle the emotional stress of saying no. Not through willpower or shame, but with healing.

I am a registered social worker with the State of Michigan with 24 years of experience in mental health. I have a passion for healing men who are no longer able to live the lives they want. I’ve already written a book on the most satisfied experience
and want to use these skills and practices for your benefit.

The title comes from John Piper's quote “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” Your body holds onto emotions and experiences, by learning how to handle these emotions physically, you will be able to handle the stress of triggers.

You can see me right where you are right now through your own cell phone or device. No need to worry about in-person meetings. Rates are exceptionally low ($80/hr) and your privacy is guaranteed, so don’t worry if your insurance covers you or not. Keep your privacy.

Curious? Email me for free if you are interested andy@mostsatisfied.net Move from your fears to your hopes, and experience life satisfied.