Emotions are like waves on the sea or weather in the skies, rising and passing of their own accord. We are not responsible for our feelings, only for the response to them. We need to accept our emotions and let them be for what they are. However, we do not want to let them run our life.
By understanding our emotions and where they come from, we are better able to gain further perspective and compassion for ourself and others.
Here are some common emotion generators:
- Many emotions begin from our mental interpretation of what occurred – people all have different perspectives
- Diet – what you eat and drink affects your moods. Sometimes emotional states come from your intestines
- Fatigue – irritability and feeling exhausted can cause negtive emotions
- Intoxications – alcohol heightens your emotional state – if you are angry, you feel angrier, if you are sad, you feel more sad
- Hormones – can affect your moods or emotions
- Tension/Stress – may produce reactive emotions or hypersensitivity
- Illness/Pain – could create mood swings, as none of us are ever at our best when feeling ill or out of sorts
- Circumstances or Environment – pleasant or unpleasant life circumstances can cause emotional stress or mood swings
- Other factors – emotions can be affected by environmental changes, memories or anything than can impact any human sensory change
This list provides some ideas as to where our change of emotions might begin, however the key is to not be so aware as to where your emotions come from, but more what you will do with them as they change and adapt to our ever-changing world.
Some of us deal with emotions by ignoring them or pretending they don’t exist – to deny them. Then, when pressure builds, we occasionally experience emotional episodes such as arguments or sudden sadness or regret.
To accept our emotions, you have to know them. Sometimes we feel better getting something off our chest, and sometimes we don’t. Thus, there is no right or wrong way of dealing with our emotions, as we all handle them differently. Exeressing our feelings can be an act of courage and honesty, that can provide valuable feedback to others who may not realize the impact of their words or actions. On the other hand, remaining silent out of politeness or discomfort does others and yourself a disservice. It can create inner turmoil.
The ability to express what you are feeling is an important life skill. Learn to stand up for yourself and define clear boundaries. Learn to find a constructive balance. Accepting your emotions does not mean you ignore, de-value or pretend they don’t exist. It involves acknowledging your feelings, letting them be just as they are, then continuing to act constructively in line with your goals. Imagine the freedom of accepting your emotions and the emotions of others as a natural part of life. Rather than trying to fix what isn’t broken, we are freed to focus our attention and energy on more constructively positive ways of living.
Keep on carrying out your life purpose. There will be a time when you transcend your emotions – not because they have gone away – because you have been able to make peace with them. As you continue to know and honor what you feel, you will be able to keep moving ahead positively in your personal life direction.
This constant experience of self-mastery and self-control will get you through many life storms.
