Listening to Our Emotions in the Midst of
Change
by Scott Stoner
An essential clue about the current state of our emotional
wellness is how comfortable we are feeling and expressing the full range of our
emotions. Imagine that the full range of emotions exists on a scale from 0-10.
Now think of 0-5 as the “unpleasant” emotions, like sadness, anxiety, worry,
anger, and fear. Next, think of 6–10 as the “pleasant” emotions, such as joy,
love, happiness, excitement, and peace.
Most of us are relatively comfortable feeling and
expressing the 6-10 emotions, yet it seems many of us try to avoid feeling and
expressing the 0-5 emotions. Here is an important insight regarding this range
of emotions: if we block out the 0-5 emotions, we will soon notice that we feel
far less of the 6-10 emotions. This is the truth being pointed to in the quote
above from Jim Rohn.
Emotions are not good or bad, they simply are. They are
like a thermometer, giving us a read on the world around us. Watch a young
child and within thirty minutes you will notice that they are comfortable
experiencing the full range of 0-10 emotions. They don’t try to build walls
around their feelings to protect themselves and don’t get stuck in any one
emotion. If we are willing to genuinely listen to and accept all of our
emotions without judgment, we too, can avoid getting stuck in any one emotion.
The key is to keep our emotions in motion, let them flow
in and through us, and watch them pass like fall leaves on a river, floating
downstream until they are out of sight, now just a memory.
Making
It Personal:
As you listen to the emotions you feel regarding the
changes you have been dealing with in your life, what do you hear?
Are you comfortable listening to and acknowledging the
“unpleasant” 0–5 emotions? What
about 6-10?
What emotion(s) do you sense right now as you listen to
yourself?
Living
Well Through Lent 2021
Copyright
©2021 Scott Stoner.
All
rights reserved.
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