How aware are you of the connection between your emotions and your ability to keep commitments? Until recently, I really didn't think much about it.  But a few things have come up with me recently that really shines the spotlight on how huge of a roll my emotions play in my decision making.  FIRST- I’m fasting today. I’m on a 24 hour juice fast. In the past I would do this fast weekly, every Monday. But when Sarah and I got pregnant I stopped (because she stopped as well — emotions at play!).  I’ve started back up again, and I’m now on my second week of intermittent fasting.  The reason I fast is simple — it gives me an opportunity to release my emotional attachments. Yes, I get physical benefits as well — I like the feeling of giving my gut a bit of a rest regularly (I cleanse more, more pooping, and I feel like it’s a nice physical reset). But truly it’s about my emotions. I’m an emotional eater. I realized this only when I began fasting. So as I was recording this episode, I was hungry. I had a green juice next to me and a bottle of water, but I didn’t want any of that. I wanted the lentils and salad that Maya's nanny cooked. I wanted the leftovers I had in the fridge. I wanted the cereal in the cabinet. I wanted everything! But despite what my emotions wanted, I choosing to stick to this fast, hold this weekly standard, and practice releasing that attachment.  SECOND - my life coach recently got on my butt about commitments. He showed me how my fears around making certain commitments had everything to do with emotions, and nothing to do with scheduling and being “busy”, which is the excuses I was using. I did not trust myself to be able to show up, regardless of how I was feeling. Show up despite the emotions.  When you can keep a commitment to yourself, regardless of your emotions, it helps you in being able to keep commitments to others, regardless of your emotions.  So I invite all of you to practice this with me. Let’s all choose something small that we’ll commit to for the rest of the month. That’s just over 2 weeks. It can be a daily habit or a weekly habit, but whatever you choose you gotta STICK TO IT. I’m going to keep up my weekly fasting through the month (and beyond).  Here are some examples of powerful habits to get your imagination going: 5 minute meditation 10 morning pushups 5 minute gratitude journaling Call a family member or loved one Go for a walk outside Send an affirmation to a friend or loved one go to be earlier or get up earlier Spend 20 minutes reviewing your budget at the end of the week Take 10 minutes at the beginning of your week to write down your intentions for the week You choose the habit. You choose the frequency.  We’ll do it for just this month. It’s about doing something small in your life that can have a big impact. Its about keeping the commitments we make TO OURSELVES, because we understand that they ripple and impact everything other area of our lives.  Share with me your commitment.  email - mattcbivens@gmail.com instagram - matthew_bivens twitter - mattbivens website - havingitallpodcast.com