What are emotions?
Simply put, an emotion consists of two things: (1) a feeling and (2) a thought.
Simply put, an emotion consists of two things: (1) a feeling and (2) a thought.
Why are emotions so important?
Emotions power our lives. Believe it or not, everything we do is done out of emotional energy. This is true even when we do not realize that we are feeling something, or when we are trying to ignore our emotions and proceed anyway. Our emotions guide our actions, our decision-making, and affect the way we view the world. That is why understanding our emotions is so vital to our ability to feel peace and experience joy. I use the analogy of a flashlight. We use flashlights to help us find our way in darkness. Emotions do the same thing for us. They illuminate the path so that we can see!
Emotions power our lives. Believe it or not, everything we do is done out of emotional energy. This is true even when we do not realize that we are feeling something, or when we are trying to ignore our emotions and proceed anyway. Our emotions guide our actions, our decision-making, and affect the way we view the world. That is why understanding our emotions is so vital to our ability to feel peace and experience joy. I use the analogy of a flashlight. We use flashlights to help us find our way in darkness. Emotions do the same thing for us. They illuminate the path so that we can see!
What does "learning to understand my emotions" mean? Do I have to sit and analyze everything in life? (I'm too busy, and way too practical.)
Learning to understand your emotions means that you recognize the impact emotions have on your life. You want to understand what you are feeling, because you know that feelings tell us what we really need in a situation. You want to examine your thoughts so that you can make sure you are heading in the direction that you want to go. Once you learn the principles, this is not time-consuming, nor an exercise in self-control. Ignoring emotions doesn't mean we don't have them or that they do not affect us. It just means that we are wearing ourselves out (big-time stress!), trying to function with little or no energy.
Learning to understand your emotions means that you recognize the impact emotions have on your life. You want to understand what you are feeling, because you know that feelings tell us what we really need in a situation. You want to examine your thoughts so that you can make sure you are heading in the direction that you want to go. Once you learn the principles, this is not time-consuming, nor an exercise in self-control. Ignoring emotions doesn't mean we don't have them or that they do not affect us. It just means that we are wearing ourselves out (big-time stress!), trying to function with little or no energy.
You keep talking about principles. Why are principles so important?
Principle: a fundamental truth that serves as a foundation for a chain of reasoning.
Many years ago, our family went through a very difficult experience. I reached a point where I knew I was falling apart. It was so frustrating! People were trying to help by giving me advice and suggestions, but nothing worked. Instead, I kept sinking further and further into despair. How was I going to keep going? Since this affected our whole family, I had to figure out the answers.
Finally, I began to realize something: the advice was not helping. No matter how well-intentioned the advice may have been, it was overwhelming me, and I couldn't make it work in "the right way." I began to realize that I had to rely on myself. I didn't know anyone else who had gone through this situation. No one else could understand my precise feelings, nor just how our family worked. No one else understood what I needed, and what I thought (as a parent) that my children needed. No one else understood, because no one else was me!
All of a sudden my focus changed. I didn't want to look "out there" for answers on how to solve my problem. I understood that my situation wasn't the problem. The problem was the emotions! We didn't know how to deal with the emotions involved.
I was done with "advice." Now I knew what I wanted -- principles. There had to be truths about emotions that would apply to every single situation. There had to be consistent, true principles that would help me decide what to do -- in any circumstance.
I began learning everything I could about emotions, and asking myself one question: Is this a principle, and will it apply to any type of situation? If so, I knew that I could rely on it to help me make decisions.
Life just "sorted itself out." We've been through some very rough times since then, but never since that time have I felt totally overwhelmed or hopeless. There is a strength that comes when we understand and use principles to guide our lives. Principles of emotions can help us understand ourselves, and figure out what matters most to us. Principles bring energy, because they empower each person to make individual decisions. Principles support peace.
Principle: a fundamental truth that serves as a foundation for a chain of reasoning.
Many years ago, our family went through a very difficult experience. I reached a point where I knew I was falling apart. It was so frustrating! People were trying to help by giving me advice and suggestions, but nothing worked. Instead, I kept sinking further and further into despair. How was I going to keep going? Since this affected our whole family, I had to figure out the answers.
Finally, I began to realize something: the advice was not helping. No matter how well-intentioned the advice may have been, it was overwhelming me, and I couldn't make it work in "the right way." I began to realize that I had to rely on myself. I didn't know anyone else who had gone through this situation. No one else could understand my precise feelings, nor just how our family worked. No one else understood what I needed, and what I thought (as a parent) that my children needed. No one else understood, because no one else was me!
All of a sudden my focus changed. I didn't want to look "out there" for answers on how to solve my problem. I understood that my situation wasn't the problem. The problem was the emotions! We didn't know how to deal with the emotions involved.
I was done with "advice." Now I knew what I wanted -- principles. There had to be truths about emotions that would apply to every single situation. There had to be consistent, true principles that would help me decide what to do -- in any circumstance.
I began learning everything I could about emotions, and asking myself one question: Is this a principle, and will it apply to any type of situation? If so, I knew that I could rely on it to help me make decisions.
Life just "sorted itself out." We've been through some very rough times since then, but never since that time have I felt totally overwhelmed or hopeless. There is a strength that comes when we understand and use principles to guide our lives. Principles of emotions can help us understand ourselves, and figure out what matters most to us. Principles bring energy, because they empower each person to make individual decisions. Principles support peace.
So if I just "understand" what I'm feeling and thinking, life will be wonderful?
No, not exactly. In fact, that makes me smile. How I wish it were like that though!
One of the important principles is this: Emotions lead to action. So we begin to realize that there is a connection between what we are feeling and what we are thinking with what we are doing. This forces us to take personal responsibility for our lives, which is not always easy. It is, however, the only way to peace.
We will realize what we need to do in order to obtain peace in our heart.
The principle: Re-solving our emotions brings peace.
We have to know our emotions (feelings and thoughts) in order to see how they have impacted us, and to understand their part in our lives. We are then empowered.
It isn't facing hard things that scares us in situations. It's the fear of not being able to control things that frightens us, and causes us stress. When we understand emotions, we are always in control.
The 5th Principle of emotions is this: Peace in any circumstance is possible.
No, not exactly. In fact, that makes me smile. How I wish it were like that though!
One of the important principles is this: Emotions lead to action. So we begin to realize that there is a connection between what we are feeling and what we are thinking with what we are doing. This forces us to take personal responsibility for our lives, which is not always easy. It is, however, the only way to peace.
We will realize what we need to do in order to obtain peace in our heart.
The principle: Re-solving our emotions brings peace.
We have to know our emotions (feelings and thoughts) in order to see how they have impacted us, and to understand their part in our lives. We are then empowered.
It isn't facing hard things that scares us in situations. It's the fear of not being able to control things that frightens us, and causes us stress. When we understand emotions, we are always in control.
The 5th Principle of emotions is this: Peace in any circumstance is possible.
So do you teach people how to resolve deep emotional issues? Are you a licensed professional?
This is very important to understand: I am not a counselor or therapist, or anyone with a professional degree in counseling. I highly encourage everyone to make decisions for themselves, and to get the help that they need to resolve emotional issues. My own family has been blessed many times by professionals who have given us great counsel, taught principles, and helped us resolve issues. I support and encourage everyone to use those resources wisely.
That being said, I firmly believe that it helps everyone to understand emotions. If we understand that emotions are feelings and thoughts, we can begin to sort through our own emotions to find meaning. If we understand how emotions produce action, and how emotions impact our bodies, we can address those aspects too. When we develop a vocabulary of feelings, we will be better able to express ourselves to others, and to help ourselves put our needs into words. When we begin to see how emotions impact us, we will be able to decide what kind of help we need, and how to obtain the help that will help us resolve issues.
When we are sick, we first consider our symptoms. Some symptoms we can deal with on our own, and sometimes we go to someone else for help. However, we wouldn't just say, "Fix me," without identifying anything at all that we are experiencing. It is so much more effective to go to a medical doctor and work with him to resolve our own health concerns. Many times, just identifying our own symptoms will help us to know what to do, helping us to avoid many lengthy medical visits. It's the same way with emotions. Many times we will experience an "aha" that says: "Oh. I get it. This is how that has impacted me." Just knowing that will help us, and sometimes that is all we need. Other times, it will help us understand what kind of help we need to resolve the issue.
I invite you to study and learn the principles of emotions. I know it will bless your life.
This is very important to understand: I am not a counselor or therapist, or anyone with a professional degree in counseling. I highly encourage everyone to make decisions for themselves, and to get the help that they need to resolve emotional issues. My own family has been blessed many times by professionals who have given us great counsel, taught principles, and helped us resolve issues. I support and encourage everyone to use those resources wisely.
That being said, I firmly believe that it helps everyone to understand emotions. If we understand that emotions are feelings and thoughts, we can begin to sort through our own emotions to find meaning. If we understand how emotions produce action, and how emotions impact our bodies, we can address those aspects too. When we develop a vocabulary of feelings, we will be better able to express ourselves to others, and to help ourselves put our needs into words. When we begin to see how emotions impact us, we will be able to decide what kind of help we need, and how to obtain the help that will help us resolve issues.
When we are sick, we first consider our symptoms. Some symptoms we can deal with on our own, and sometimes we go to someone else for help. However, we wouldn't just say, "Fix me," without identifying anything at all that we are experiencing. It is so much more effective to go to a medical doctor and work with him to resolve our own health concerns. Many times, just identifying our own symptoms will help us to know what to do, helping us to avoid many lengthy medical visits. It's the same way with emotions. Many times we will experience an "aha" that says: "Oh. I get it. This is how that has impacted me." Just knowing that will help us, and sometimes that is all we need. Other times, it will help us understand what kind of help we need to resolve the issue.
I invite you to study and learn the principles of emotions. I know it will bless your life.