Yaser El-Waly on Finding Emotional Balance There will always be some good surprises, some shocking surprises, and some tasks in one’s life. Although it may not be possible to control everything that happens in one’s life, yet it would definitely be possible for them to control their responses without being controlled by every single emotion. In his article, Yaser El-Waly explains the significance of emotional balance in order to deal with different situations in life more consciously and maturely. Yaser El-Waly on Understanding Emotional Reactions Feelings usually occur before people are able to figure out what led to them. An insult may lead to frustration, being caught off guard may lead to feelings of anxiety, and something positive may lead to excitement. According to Yaser El-Waly, people should acknowledge these feelings before letting them influence their actions. For example, receiving bad news from the workplace might initially be viewed as something very personal. However, after taking a second look at the matter, one might see that there is actually a message behind all of this. Being able to distinguish between feelings and facts, people can prevent any unnecessary arguments from happening. Acceptance of feelings does not mean that they will go away, but rather gives people more space to think. Yaser El-Waly on Remaining Calm Under Pressure Pressure can turn even simple choices into complex ones. As multiple commitments demand attention, frustration can build up and people can react harshly than they had intended to do so. According to Yaser El-Waly, retaining one’s calm in such situations can only be achieved by slowing things down. If a person feels the heat of the deadline, then he or she tends to do all the tasks hurriedly. Otherwise, there should be a selection of the most important assignments and organising everything else along with effective communication with other individuals. It is not possible to avoid pressure; however, it is easy to manage it. Calmness does not mean ignoring problems but being able to resolve them without causing additional confusion. Yaser El-Waly on Avoiding Decisions Made in Anger Being angry may give one a feeling that his actions are justified since he feels that he has been wronged in some way. However, the words said in moments of frustration may cause rifts that are hard to heal after the initial misunderstanding. According to Yaser El-Waly, it is important to take the time for emotions to cool off before making any decisions. Pausing for a while, getting the necessary information, or having a conversation on a later date might prove beneficial. Such a strategy does not show one’s inability to handle the situation; rather, it is an effective way of protecting oneself and those around him. It is not a question of avoidance, but of preparation. Yaser El-Waly on Balancing Expectations and Reality Unrealistic expectations might be another source of continuous dissatisfaction. Alternatively, one could gauge their progress through the achievements of others or believe that whatever one does must bear immediate fruits. Yaser El-Waly urges people to take a more balanced approach to self-development. Progress does not follow a straightforward path. It takes longer sometimes; other times, success requires changing course altogether. Such acceptance could prevent frustration for no reason without reducing the level of determination. The well-balanced individual will be able to work on improving themselves but realize that errors, mistakes, and changing their mind is all part of the process. The true accomplishment would then be appreciated as it deserves. Yaser El-Waly on Protecting Inner Peace Life consists of obligations that are sometimes unavoidable, yet not all of these should be treated in an equal manner. Yaser El-Waly points out the necessity of understanding when it pays off to pay attention. Frequent quarrels, fruitless comparisons, and constant involvement in negativity tend to exhaust people mentally. It is important to choose which moments need one’s response, which are better to ignore, and which should be spent constructively. However, this does not imply neglecting any real issues. This concerns the ability to understand what can and should be done and what simply provides one more reason for frustration. Yaser El-Waly on Developing Emotional Maturity Emotional balance is learned through practice and not by one-time decision making. Emotional maturity, according to Yaser El-Waly, lies in being able to think about one's reactions, make mistakes, and learn from difficult experiences. A person who acts improperly in the process of discussion would be able to analyze his mistakes and act otherwise next time he encounters the same problem. It is important to mature enough in order to realize that other people might see the situation from a different angle. In other words, always listen first before passing judgments on the situation. Yaser El-Waly on Living With Greater Awareness Balanced living does not involve maintaining happiness and absence of stress at all times. According to Yaser El-Waly , challenging emotions are normal in human existence and one's ability to have those emotions does not imply inability to control oneself. More important than anything else is the ability to react in a proportional manner, with intelligence and calmness. There may be instances when it is necessary to make quick decisions and act quickly while on some occasions, the response should be slower. It is through controlling their emotions that people will be able to respond appropriately to the different situations that they encounter in life and enjoy the good ones as well.