Welcome all Emotions

As adults, we have achieved much in our careers and personal lives. But have we taken the time to develop our emotional intelligence? In recent years, I've realized that being aware of and relating to our emotions is one of the most important aspects of our lives. It helps us problem-solve, show character, and relate to others more meaningfully.

According to experts in emotional intelligence, such as Daniel Goleman, our emotional intelligence leads us to become curious, open to opportunities, and better human beings. Emotions happen consciously and largely unconsciously, leading us to act in specific ways. The butterflies in the stomach, the tense muscles, the rapid heartbeat, and the teeth clenching are physiological changes communicating to us about a situation that makes us behave differently. We may act innately out of protection or pause and think. Our aptness to be aware of the changes in our bodies and work through (not against) our feelings unlocks a powerful door for personal growth and the road to well-being.

Emotions are not good or bad; they simply are. Although we wish to feel joyful, energetic, excited, satisfied, and other happy feelings most of the time, we underrate the importance and value of feeling sad, mad, angry, disappointed, discouraged, and other uncomfortable emotions we do not intend to. We live a balanced, meaningful life when we accept and embrace pleasant and unpleasant experiences.

One of the keys to emotional intelligence is knowing how to express our emotions in a healthy way and a healthy environment. When we feel mad, we can walk, take a few deep breaths, exercise, and express it to someone we feel comfortable with. Similarly, when we feel happy, we can find more ways that bring us happiness and share and spread this sentiment to people around us. This can help uplift someone's mood and create a positive environment. On the other hand, when we feel sad, we could practice self-care by treating ourselves with our favorite food, calling a friend or family, or doing something that comforts and soothes us.

Emotions are messengers of information that help us understand ourselves better. The brain is a telephone to every organ in our bodies through the connection of the sympathetic nervous system. Piling and pretending not to feel negative experiences is unhealthy and pays a toll later. Negative experiences can act as wake-up calls to make changes and even motivate us to grow. Instead of suppressing our emotions, we could ask ourselves: What is this impulse trying to tell me? What can I do about it? Fear keeps us safe. Anger informs us that something is not fair. Hope recognizes that we can get past challenging situations. Joy makes our life worthwhile. Sadness expresses that we are hurt or upset. By relating and befriending our internal experiences, we can understand most of our reactions and how we can mindfully shift our behaviors to make better decisions.

Emotions are a natural part of our human experience, and they can sometimes be powerful and overwhelming. However, it's important to remember that emotions come and go like waves in the ocean. Like surfers navigate the waves, we can work through our emotions and become agile "emotions surfers."

The first wave is acceptance - acknowledging and recognizing our emotions without judgment or resistance. The second wave is permitting ourselves to feel without being consumed by it. This means allowing ourselves to experience the emotion fully while also maintaining a sense of control.

Lastly, it is talking to someone or doing something healthy and constructive to let go. We can choose how, when, and with whom we express and channel our emotions. The purpose is not to have our feelings control us but rather to navigate through them so that they do not take away from our love and goals. By being honest with ourselves and without the need to fit in or comply with others, we can practice healthy ways of expressing our emotions.

Becoming "emotions surfers" takes time and practice. Challenging waves may make us fall, get hurt, and even fail. However, these experiences can also make us wiser, more resilient, and stronger. It's important to remember that emotions are messengers of information, and they can be our wake-up calls to make changes and even motivate us to grow.

To live a valuable, purposeful, and fulfilled life, we must experience comfortable and uncomfortable emotions. Emotions make us fully alive - the beat of our hearts, a smile, a frown, a tear, a hug. By relating and befriending our internal experiences, we can understand our reactions and mindfully shift our behaviors to make better decisions. So let's embrace our emotions and become skilled "emotions surfers," riding the waves of life with grace and resilience.

‍

With empathy,

Ale

‍