Often, too often, we allow emotions to cripple us. Emotions
should warn us, but not control us. Too often our emotions become the problem
because we don't ask the correct questions: "where does the emotion come
from? Or why do I feel this way?"
I have heard the expression many times that an emotion is
like a warning light on the dashboard of your car. It goes on when something
internal is wrong. In that moment we have two choices, break the light and
ignore the problem or investigate the problem. The thing is, that sometimes the
little light is scary, especially if we don't know where the problem lies, how
deep it is, how long it is going to take to sort out or how much it will cost
you.
Let's say that your "dashboard" shows a light of
irritation, you may stop to think and realise that you are just hungry and it's
pretty easy to solve or you might realise that it's something about someone
else that irritates you and you might need to dig a bit deeper to find out
where the irritation is coming from and why it is affecting you so much. Or you
might notice your irritation, but have absolutely no idea what the underlying
problem is. Don't worry! You are totally capable of dealing with it and you
don’t need to understand and fix it in an instant. Take some time out, even if
it is just 10 minutes and just sit and think about where the emotion is coming
from. Sometimes something as simple as irritation can be underlying fear, shame
or sadness which can easily turn into frustration or anger if not acknowledged
and dealt with.
Emotion should not scare us, it should rather guide us to
become more self aware so that we can manage ourselves better and always be
filled with joy. If we do not manage our emotion, it will control us and then
we will start to act in ways which we do not wish to act. Be bold today and
don't be scared to look at what is lying underneath the emotion. Do not allow
the emotion to control you, but be brave and face the emotion. Allow yourself
to become more emotionally aware and set yourself free from controlling and
exploding emotions.
Picture credit: creativereview