De-sensitization begins at an early age. We are taught to repress our feelings: Don’t worry. Don’t cry. Don’t be afraid. We are told to remain “in control.” Look sharp. Chin up. Stand firm.
But is this actually possible—or even reasonable? Here we are, trying to navigate through a world filled with pain, struggle, tension large and small…how are we supposed to be immune to it all?
Recognizing emotions for what they are (rather than writing them off as weakness or inconvenience), allows you to respond effectively to your environment. Acknowledging, rather than denying, feelings allows you to be more functional from the inside out. Get a feel for yourself!
Repressed emotion finds its way into the crevices of mind and body, and festers. It then manifests in other areas of life. It becomes stress. It creates drama. It inspires fear. And then, to avoid these unpleasantries, we numb out with food-drugs-alcohol-television-internet-collecting useless stuff; constantly needing to be distracted from how we really feel.
The trouble with always tuning out, above and beyond the obvious pollution in your internal atmosphere, is that you are missing the time of you life.
How you feel is integral to your being. It is central to the quality of your experience day to day, for better or worse. Some clever person observed that “the truth will set you free.” It’s true. Be honest with yourself about your feelings. When you accurately identify them, you can make an informed decision about how to respond.
Some simple examples:
Feeling tired >> Needing to rest.
Feeling stressed out >> Needing to take a moment to relax and re-focus.
Feeling angry >> Needing to express it constructively.
Feeling worried >> Needing reassurance.
Feeling sad >> Needing to cry or grieve.
Our feelings and emotions are keys, maps, and/or signposts that exist to help us navigate the course of our lives! Don't leave them by the wayside.
“Better out than in, I always say.” -Shrek
0 comments:
Post a Comment