IDEAS 

PRACTICES 
Emotions are an integral part of the human experience. They have the power to stir us up and move us, both physically and mentally. In fact, the very root of the word "emotion" is "emovere", which means "to stir up" or "to move out". And when we allow ourselves to fully experience and express our emotions, we tap into a rich source of creativity and vitality.

Unfortunately, we often view some emotions as "bad" or "negative" because they cause us discomfort or pain. We may even believe that these emotions should be suppressed or ignored altogether. However, when we deny or suppress our emotions, we cut ourselves off from an important aspect of our humanity. We also risk creating a build-up of emotions that can lead to harmful behaviors, such as aggression or self-harm.

Instead of judging our emotions as "good" or "bad", we can learn to simply experience them with curiosity and compassion. By doing so, we create space for them to move through us and release their energy, rather than getting stuck and causing us further distress. This is not to say that we should always act on our emotions, but rather that we should acknowledge and honor them as an essential part of our human experience.

Moreover, when we celebrate all emotions, we open ourselves up to the wisdom and insight that they offer us. For example, anger may indicate that a boundary has been crossed or a need has been neglected. Sadness may point to a loss that needs to be grieved. By paying attention to our emotions, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our needs, and make more informed choices about how to respond to the world around us.

In short, celebrating all emotions allows us to access a rich source of creativity, vitality, and wisdom. When we allow ourselves to fully experience and express our emotions, we create a more loving and compassionate relationship with ourselves and the world. So, let's embrace our emotions and all the ways they move us, and trust that they have something important to teach us!

CASE STUDY 

Rory had been raised to believe that expressing emotions was weak. He had learned to bottle up his feelings, hiding them away until they exploded in huge outbursts or came pouring out after a few drinks.

Despite his best efforts to hide it, his emotional repression was affecting his work. He found himself becoming sharp with clients, pouting in his office, and feeling jealous of his colleagues' successes. Something needed to change, but Rory didn't know how to do it.

One day, his boss took him aside and told him that it was time to improve his emotional intelligence. Instead of living life through a lens of good and bad emotions, they could learn to find pleasure and meaning in all of them. It was a revelation for Rory, who had never considered that emotions could be anything other than a burden to be carried.

He took his boss's words to heart and sought out the help of a good psychotherapist. Together, they began to unravel the tangled web of emotions that Rory had been suppressing for so long. At first, it was uncomfortable and scary to confront his feelings head-on. But as he worked through his emotions, he began to feel more and more alive.

In one memorable session, Rory had a breakthrough. He realized that he had been cutting himself off from his own existence, hiding away his emotions shamefully. As this realization hit him, tears began to stream down his face. It felt beautiful and necessary to let the emotion out, and he knew that he was on the right track.

From that day forward, Rory continued his emotional journey with a newfound sense of purpose and determination. He learned to embrace his feelings, both good and bad, and to find meaning in all of them. His work improved, and he found himself feeling more connected to his colleagues and clients than ever before.

In the end, Rory learned that emotions were not a sign of weakness, but rather a source of strength and resilience. By embracing his emotional side, he became a more complete and whole person, and he was grateful for the journey that had led him to this realization.
  • When you are experiencing a difficult emotion, remind yourself it's not a problem and that it's ok to be experiencing it.  
  • Expand your emotional range by allowing the feelings and emotions that come up to fully bloom.
  • Notice and become aware of the physical sensations that arise when you feel different emotions. ​
  • Find healthy ways of expressing your emotions. Writing, dancing, music, and other art forms are great ways of expressing strong emotions .
  • Develop compassion and acceptance for others' emotions. Remind yourself their emotions are also not problems. 
  • Connect with the pleasure in experience deep sadness or anger. The sensations may not be pleasurable, but you will be feeling deeply alive. 
  • Develop your emotional vocabulary by looking up different emotions and feelings.

RESOURCES 

BOOKS
  • Bittersweet Miranda Beverly-Whittemore.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ by Daniel Goleman
  • The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You by Karla McLaren
  • Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
  • Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan David
  • The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living by Russ Harris
  • The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
  • Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
  • The Spiritual Emotional Intelligence: A Pathway to Personal and Professional Development by Yolanda Davis-Peña
  • Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves