“Our emotions is never the “reality”, it is rather a sign of reality, a sign of the life that has been mapped.” – Michael Hall
Our emotions are signs that we have experienced something and out of this experience, we have crafted a frame and/or many frames of references. If we are to crack that which we have crafted from our experience, then know that each emotion is appropriate, for each emotion in truth rises from our thoughts and maps of how we experienced life in a moment in time.
Our emotions are just signals about the difference between what we believe in, expected and what is happening in the outside world. Our emotions are neither wrong or right, good or bad, moral or immoral.
Our emotions tell us a story of what we expected and we believe in and what is actually happening.
So our emotions have their rightful place, they tell us stories often unknown to us, stories of shame, guilt, not enough, blame.
If we are feeling fear – know that there are some fear thoughts creating it.
If we are feeling anger, know that there are some thoughts of anger generating that emotions but truth be, it is beyond that.
If we step into that game of hating, rejecting, judging our emotions, we are in truth denying ourselves of uncovering things that are seeking to be acknowledged – these could be beliefs, narratives, stories, memories, experiences and much more.
Consciously repressing our emotions, we are merely playing with our own self, unaware that our human body is far too intelligent. This body will register it all, remember it all and sooner or later, there will be an outbreak of sickness.
When we block our way to registering what we feel, how we feel and face our emotions, we are also killing our passion, love, joy, fun , playfulness and openness.
No emotions are bad but if they stay for long lurking within and emerging unpredictably, then I will highly suggest that we give ourselves time, space and patience to explore.
Here to some questions that you can use as you pause this week onwards, I invite you to think of a current or past situation (which is still very much present in your life) that still triggers emotions that you struggle to release, let go of or delete.
1. What do you feel about this situation? (by giving a name to your feeling, you are in truth facing your emotion)
2. Have you ever felt like this before
3. What does it to you that you are feeling this emotion?
4. How do you experience this emotion?
5. What is it like to feel this emotion in your body?
6. Where do you feel this emotion?
7. What intentions drive this emotion? (There are always intentions under operations, intentions that we are unaware of. It can be that you are unconsciously trying to protect yourself- those of us who do inner critics sessions have witnessed that which has shown up)
8. What thoughts are in the back of your mind when you are having this emotion? (The thoughts , self-talks – they support, create, fuel and nurture that emotion- so we invite you to pause and listen to your self-talks)
9. How does this emotion affect your sense of self? (Your sense of self is knowing that what you feel belong to you, this is your and your experience and your mapping of life. But for most of us in our winging to control it all, we throw it all on others)
These questions are purposeful but at times, they work best when in conversation with a facilitator, someone who will stand by as you explore the matrix of your existence.
I will love to hear from you, your experience and most importantly, “what have these questions triggered for you?”
Love from my heart to yours
Megha Venketasamy
Image source: Melanie Wassere,Unsplash
Post © Megha Venketasamy, 2019. All rights reserved.
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