What are emotions and why are they so often looked down
on?
Merriam-Webster reads,
Full Definition of EMOTION
1
2
b : a state of feeling
c : a conscious mental
reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually
directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological
and behavioral changes in the body
Emotions can be tricky. They can be very intense and
powerful. Sometimes they are positive and sometimes they are negative. People
are often at a loss when it comes to handling their emotions. Some explode with
anger. Some isolate in pain. Some people cry with joy. What happens when people
stuff their emotions? They get sick with stress induced illnesses and a lowered
immune system. Emotion itself is not what is dangerous; rather, it is the way
we react to the emotions that can hurt ourselves and others.
I was in a marriage where my emotions were rebuked and I
was ridiculed if I displayed emotion that made my husband feel uncomfortable. I
began to stuff my emotions and even began to lose touch with them entirely. I
was made to feel that my emotions were inappropriate and it was somehow wrong
for me to feel they way I felt. I found myself becoming uncomfortable when
others displayed emotion as well.
A wise man once said, “We are only as sick as our secrets”
and “revealing our feelings is the beginning of healing”. Just because someone
else does not like the way you feel does not mean your feelings are wrong. It
is wise to control your feelings but that is different than ignoring them or
stuffing them. You can keep it real, feel what you feel, and share it with
others in a calm, loving manner.
There are a lot of factors that come in to why we feel
the way we feel in any given situation. Ask yourself, “What am I feeling?”, “Where
is this coming from?” and “What should I do about it?” Act, don’t react! Let a
trusted friend or counselor know what you are experiencing but don’t hold it in
or ignore it. Your feelings matter! In the same way that your car has indicator
lights on the dash to inform you what is going on emotion is our gauge. Your
car will break down eventually if you ignore the warnings as will our bodies.
Deal with what is real!
Here’s to your emotional health!
