Since emotions are drivers of my perception (I either can’t think of anything positive when I’m severely depressed, or it all seems futile and not worth trying; or, if I’m in a good mood, it’s hard to dwell on things that infuriate me, or I’m willing to view them as solvable challenges), I believe managing emotions and learning how mine work has practical value.
Also, from an existential viewpoint: were we born into our short, limited lives to constantly suffer and deprive ourselves of satisfaction? Until there’s definitive, unquestionable proof (a comprehensive metaphysical account that can reliably answer if we have free will and if we do, how much we have, if we’re in a simulation, and also reconciles different levels of physics along with questions around consciousness) I’m going to believe no, that isn’t the case, and I’m here to experience internal fulfillment. Which is a much more philosophical, long-winded way of reasserting my conviction that I believe there’s value in managing my emotions.
Dirty Sci-Fi Buddha 
The value of managing your emotions extends to those around you. I’ll be keeping that in mind in two hours when I’m back in the grind.
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Great point! Yes, it certainly has a ripple effect.
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There’s so much that makes us happy, we are drawn to the belief that we have free will.
I believe we do – I nearly wrote ‘ultimately’ there – but I believe we do. Thanks for your
Musings again .
Gwen.
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I believe so as well! And I concluded a while ago that since no one can prove it one way or the other, it’s best to assume we do so we can take advantage of however much we have, if any. Assuming we don’t means we automatically waste it if we have any.
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I agree there is value in managing emotions. Sometimes emotions oscillate because of internal chemical reactions. If you can identify when that is the case, then you may be able to figure out how to control the downs or at least realize they are passing mood swing.
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Absolutely! Tending to basics like diet, sleep, and exercise can work wonders in that regard.
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Agree. Dr. David Burns wrote in his book, “Feeling Great”, that “you must believe a negative thought before it can upset you. If you don’t believe it, then it will have no impact on you.”
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Great point! Belief is an interesting factor, driven by things like conscious focus (self-talk, what you choose to view and concentrate on), and also what I think of as emotional resonance, or a less quantifiable, almost subconscious focus on internal resistance or relaxation (whether I’m pushing against something through insistence, or accepting that I’m pushing so I can let it move on). It’s pretty interesting how belief in whether I can or can’t depends on focus and/or whether I’m being insistent or accepting.
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Great thoughts here. Managing emotions is super important (and often overlooked in this day of act how you want without consequences).
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Yes, I grew up thinking just deny it all in favor of action, but that doesn’t optimize outcomes for me. Thankfully, I think people are becoming more aware over time.
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It’s definitely about balance. We cannot allow our emotions to rule us, nor should we completely bypass them.
Always appreciate your ‘musings’!
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Yes indeed! They serve a lot of functions, to include guidance and enjoying our short time on Earth, but I’m with you–I don’t think they were meant to be our overlords.
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As someone who lately feels as if they unintentionally stowed away on a kamikaze that is currently making a headlong no-return dive at the battleship Missouri, I have no idea.
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In the past, as many of us probably, I was unaware of my own emotions, or rather the necessity of managing them. Today, it is hard to read any comment stating that we should “consider it”, rather than it being the must, but again “hard to read’ doesn’t mean that it angers me – if it would, it means I did not progress with managing anything in my emotional space at all. I feel the existential flow in your musing too much. Whenever you feel like you want to free up something inside your head, outside of your own blog, feel free to spit it out under any of my daily updates. The fact that you read them so often is enough to thank you so far for your valuable time and attention, and I hope your pursuits are “on track” (whatever it means in this existential battle, that we continue ;). Thanks for being here, writing your thoughts down, creating literature (that I am yet to check out), and popping in regularly to my space to leave a like (as it makes me feel a bit better about those monologues hitting more than just a void)! All the best, Sir!
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And all the best to you! Yes, we’re all making progress in one way or another (or so I choose to believe, at least over the span of however this existence is structured). I believe as long as writing brings you joy, then keep at it, void or not! The void may be some undulating superconsciousness that listens to your words and responds in a different way than logic would dictate!
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Deep thoughts but potentially valid indeed. Our perception is singular view that we already know is different between species and who knows how many layers to it there is!
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Emotions sometimes open us to a different perspective. Not everything needs to be sent down the garbage disposal.
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Yes indeed! My experience on it is once I accept the negativity instead of rejecting it (don’t have to be pollyanna about it, simply acknowledge that it is what I am truly feeling and its ok to feel that way) I can begin to be more openminded about it and start parsing out benefits or information that might come from that state.
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Some days I wish I was better at managing mine.
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Yes, our mood can swing between defeat (depression) and confidence as easily as the weather changes. Some people swing more than others and the more extreme are then labelled as having “bipolar disorder”. The ‘energy’ for that swing comes, surely, from our strength of emotional attachment to the things that we’re feeling will only come with a fight: things we can’t just “let go”. We can reduce the swings if we can learn either to release the attachments, or make much longer term plans that allow for temporary setback. I favour the former, as you know, but we can also address the inner child who wants his treats ‘now!’ (but can be distracted by other treats).
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I agree. There’s a lot of depth to the idea of “know yourself,” which I think is often used in a lazy/reductive manner where people typecast themselves. Disorders and remedies manifest across spectrums and varying degrees, and being open to specificity is a great asset in dealing with them!
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Now I have to finish the post I abandoned bc I felt like I was talking myself in circles, lol. Consider yourself an inspiration!
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No worries, I’ve talked myself into many a-circle myself! As long as you’re experiencing fulfillment, I say go for it–writing should net you enjoyment, not torment!
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Awareness, acknowledgement are big steps. “Managing” sounds good.
Meditating, yoga, nature walks, physical exercise, music, art, writing are all tools to help us. Journaling is a tool many use.
https://ruparaoruminates.wordpress.com/
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Yeah that emotions/feelings drive you perception is a hard-wired from nature thing. I have my bouts with depression/disillusionment myself. When that happens I measure creative enthusiasm in micro-milli-nano-give-a-shits,
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Nice! I like your phrasing, lol!
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