Published: 07/02/2018 - Updated: 12/23/2018
Author: MSc. Miriam Reyes
When we add the ability to think beyond just this present moment to our instincts, impulses, and emotions, and understand this through a conscious knowing of being, we call this a rational brain. But when this rational capacity acts in favor of pleasure and the fullness of the individual, we call this emotional intelligence. Emotions involve our understanding and personal experience, our philosophy and beliefs that react in particular experiences. They are affective states that each individual experiences differently based on their own unique experiences and judgement. Some animals share basic emotions with us, although in humans these emotions are even more complex due to language and the ability to think. To understand emotions is to understand primarily our thoughts. Here we will give you a shorts list of just a few emotions:
- FEAR: Anticipation of danger which produces anxiety, uncertainty, and insecurity.
- AVERSION: Disgust and repulsion.
- ANGER: rage, fury, resentment, violence.
- SURPRISE: astonishment, confusion, sudden enthusiasm.
- HAPPINESS: amusement, satisfaction, well-being, assurance.
- SADNESS: shame, loneliness, depression, dissatisfaction, guilt, pessimism.
The purpose of emotions is to give us an understanding of what we think, feel, and believe. If you study them closely, that when we experience them, they tell us not only about our state of mind, but also about an attitude or way in which we see life. If you are a perfectionist, you will find errors everywhere and you’ll be very irritable. If you always expect a lot from other people, you could frequently feel disappointed. If you feel like you’re alone and that no one is by your side to support you, it’s most likely that you feel sad and depressed. But don’t worry about what you feel. Rather, pay attention to what you think: if you change your attitude and the belief that causes the emotion, you will be able invite in new emotions and experiences. Here we will provide you with a simple list to help you in detecting which types of attitudes could be generating your emotions:
- FEAR: among the various aspects of fear we find that this emotion demonstrates primarily mistrust; constantly protecting ourselves from an outside force, we fear being invaded or that they steal our happiness and well-being. This emotions doesn’t actually refer to our natural and instinctive precaution that we have while crossing the street, but rather to an emotion that blocks us and makes us insecure.
- AVERSION: produces denial of what is in front of us. This can mean inflexibility, not wanting to change, being too perfectionist or critical, and non-acceptance of the changes of life.
- ANGER: drives us towards destruction. This emotion represent a deep intolerance, of wanting to control life and other around us according to what we believe to be convenient. Anger is always present when we depend on other to show us how important and valuable we are.
- SADNESS: moves us towards new personal integration. When we feel depressed we stay still, quiet, and withdrawn. This stance tells us that we’ve experienced certain moments when we can no longer avoid or deny what we feel, and it’s necessary to take a step back in order to confront and understand more about what satisfies us.
- HAPPINESS: a moment in which we feel free and enthusiastic. These moments give us a sense of rest and beckons a new attitude. They give us a fresh breath of air and push us to consider new ways of life. But remember that true happiness is not fleeting, for you can definitely feel satisfied with your life in every moment in you truly wish, and if you work towards it.
Revised by: Dra. Loredana Lunadei on 12/23/2018
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