"If you hang around people who act like you are not who you are then you will forget who you are." -Kanye West

Featured Song: In My Head-India.Arie

What a crazy week… omg I was mentally drained from everything going on in the media and life. Yikes! Let’s just get into it, I know you saw the Kanye West rant on TMZ that was blasted all over social media last week but I wonder did you have a chance to watch his interview with Charlamagne the God from the Breakfast Club as well. Some would argue that Kanye seemed like 2 different people or like a true Gemini lol. I would agree with them honestly. Those Gemini’s can be interesting people. Granted I didn’t agree with everything he said in his interview nor his rant but I wonder are we truly listening to him or judging before we process what he is saying.

Then should we have attacked him so viciously for his free thinking? I think we shouldn’t. I think instead of responding negatively we should educate and empathize. It’s obvious Kanye is in search of some truth somewhere which leads me to believe he is lost. None of know the answers to everything so being lost is relatable.

The situation caused me to want shed light on Emotional Intelligence. In 1995, psychologist and science journalist Daniel Goleman published a book introducing the world to the concept of emotional intelligence. The idea a person can have the ability to understand and manage emotions, in turn, increases our chances of success. So I wonder if more people in the world had higher emotional IQ what the world would feel like?

Here’ s a few things us emotionally intelligent people do differently:

We think about feelings. Emotional intelligence begins with what is called self- and social awareness, the ability to recognize emotions (and their impact) in both ourselves and others.
We pause. We think before we act. In the paused moment you are able to think about your situation from all perspectives.
We demonstrate empathy. Instead of judging or labeling others, you work hard to see things through their eyes.
We protect ourselves from those who emotionally sabotage.

This week I challenge you to see how you can increase your emotional IQ. Not only will it benefit you but the people you encounter will feel the results.

Until next time.