HALT for Zen Like Calm and Making Wise Decisions
HALT for Zen Like Calm and Making Wise Decisions
By Michael Twomey
This article is about how to keep your cool even in the face of the storm.
This is by no means the one and only way to achieve a Zen like calm, however it is one of the simplest and most effective methods to help yourself to keep your cool and make wiser decisions.
I have written a few articles on similar topics so you can put them together and really get an even better handle on your states and your moods.
There is a simple slogan that I have known about for a long time and it has helped me tremendously, it has helped many of my clients and it can help you, too.
Having grown up in a dysfunctional family ( did we all? ;) I learned this slogan, H.A.L.T. when I was around 6 years old. Later on I heard it over and over again and part of my Counseling training also drilled this slogan into us. (12 Steps)
H.A.L.T.
I will tell you what it stands for in a little while yet first some background that will help make more sense of all of this for you.
Whenever you want to make an important decision you first need to be in a good state.
Whether it is a question of whom to date or what job to take or what to reply to your Boss when he or she is demanding too much from you.
A good state can mean different things for different people and also depends on your present situation.
When you are enjoying the company of your lover then you want to be fully present and immersed in the moment and passionate, curious, etc.
However, if you are this sort of heady, body charged ( horny ) emotional state while looking at cars to buy, then you may just buy something out of your budget.
Or if your Boss is overly demanding and you have reached your limits you may blurt out something you may regret later on.
You could lose your job because you lost your cool!
So while we want to be able to shift ourselves into powerful emotional states and be able to lead others into a more emotional states so that they can be more fully receptive and open to us, we also want the flexibility to be more objective and logical when it is required.
I use Hypnosis for myself and others so that you can feel more centered and balanced and be flexible enough to be in the moment when it is appropriate and to be more objective when it is required.
HALT is a list of symptoms or emotional states that could interfere with wise decisions so you want to avoid feeling :
HUNGRY
ANGRY
LONELY
TIRED
So the next time you are out Socializing and you are not getting the results you want or expect then remember the slogan.
Or the next time your demanding Boss is yelling and you almost find yourself yelling back at them, you need to take a deep breath and remember to H.A.L.T.
Instead of losing your cool you will want to take some deep breaths, clear your head and get yourself well fed, emotionally centered, and make sure you are getting enough sleep and relaxation.
These tips are simple and surprisingly effective in helping you to improve your moods and your life.
In fact, they can make ALL the difference in the world!
Michael Twomey
P.s. Another slogan HALT comes from a similar place and is also helpful : Hope, Acceptance, Love and Tolerance
