Emotions…What are they?
Emotions. We all have them. We all experience an array of them. They can be overwhelming, peaceful or feel like nothing at all.
What are emotions anyway? What causes us to feel them? Can we ever stop feeling them or break free from some that keep us feeling stuck or hurt?
I never gave emotions much thought when I was growing up. I just felt angry at times, sad or happy and each just happened because I was reacting to what was happening around me and to me. I wasn’t given any lessons on emotions, what they were, how to manage them or process them.
When I was upset, I was told to stop crying or stop acting upset, don’t get angry, or turn my attitude around. Essentially, I was being groomed to behave and feel a certain way. Was it ever ok to feel upset, angry, mad, sad? It certainly didn’t seem like it. It’s part of our culture and society. One must “always” be happy or you’re doing something wrong.
Well, I can tell you now, I’ve learned a lot more about emotions and how to manage them so I can chose how I want to respond instead of making emotional knee-jerk reactions.
Emotions are energy. Think of the range of emotions we feel in the shape of a triangle with Neutral or Calm state at the top point, Negative or Angry/Sad state at the lower left corner and Positive or Joyful state at the lower right corner. You are standing in the middle and constantly turning or tuning into the emotion you’re feeling.
Each emotion has its own frequency on a running scale with none of them being “good or bad”. Each emotion serves its own purpose and lessons.
Being human, we will always have emotions, but they are not who we are. Emotions may seem daunting and heavy-handed at times, overwhelming and trapping, however, freedom comes when you become aware of what you are feeling and what you are reacting to.
Awareness is key and paves the way for healing and freedom from feeling controlled by emotions. In the end, it is a choice. Once you become aware, you can learn to acknowledge how you are feeling, feel it, allow it and let it go so you can be in the state of energy you desire to be in. And that state is up to you.
With some practice, emotions begin to release their grip and tension within the body.
We often respond or react to what is going on around us based on how we were raised, what we observed and experienced while growing up and through learned beliefs and society norms.
Overtime, if your desire is to overcome negative thoughts and beliefs, you can begin to examine them through a mindfulness technique called Vipassana Meditation. It’s simply observing your thoughts, emotions, beliefs and your body aches and pains without judgement. It allows you to be honest with yourself and helps you have a deeper understanding of who you are. Whose voices come to mind with your thoughts and beliefs? Are they your own or someone else’s? Do you like them or want to change them? These are all choices You Can Make. It’s Freeing!
Mastering your emotions, your energy, is a healthy way to live and thrive through life.
Setting healthy boundaries for yourself allows you to live your best life while, I believe, also giving your best to others. Because, when you feel fulfilled and healthy, you have more energy to give to others.
In conclusion, we will never be rid of emotions, but they do not need to control us. It is possible to overcome negative states of being. I’ve done it myself. I was once suicidal, but have since processed my emotions and now mange them in a healthy way allowing me to live and enjoy life even in today’s chaotic environment.
Healing practices such as Reiki and Somatic Therapy in addition to being honest, kind and compassionate with myself have helped me come out of the depths of depression to feeling at peace or joyful most days.
In many of my Reiki sessions with clients, I’m guided to share a poem called The Guest House by Rumi. I recommend reading it over. It speaks of emotions as teachers and clearing out what no longer serves you.
Listen and pay attention to your heart, your body and spirit. You have everything within you to live your best life. Step into your power. Trust and believe in yourself.
You have the ability to master your own energy for how you really want to live.
~ Namaste
