3 Tips to Positive Emotional Expression
Firstly, a wonderful quote by Dalai Lama
“As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery… we have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace. The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger, attachment, fear and suspicion, while love and compassion and a sense of universal responsibility are the sources of peace and happiness.”
We are emotional beings and we are governed by what we feel as well as what we think; the powers to change any emotional or mental processes-or choose which ones we feed into, always lies within each of us as individuals. Many people may fear emotional depth and those feelings remain boxed up, denied, rooted in anxiety, and left to simmer. This embeds emotional unrest and inner conflict within us. The way forward is only ever through emotions and not sidelining them or pushing them back into a negative expression, such as, fear, anger, and sadness. As human beings we normally act out through two powerful emotions, fear and love… and it is always a choice upon how you serve yourself and others through these emotions.
1. Emotions are about management, not control.
Try to avoid scrutinising your emotions as a means of control- it is about liberating and understanding them; reflecting upon them to enlighten yourself and reach a point where you can intelligently ‘respond’ to life and its challenges rather than react. Reacting is born from the ego- a defensive ‘push against’, responding is born from an absorption and understanding of what is placed before you and what it is trying to teach you. Take a little time to pause and reflect first and foremost. Emotions can be a strengthening or a destructive force, take time to discern your emotions before reacting to circumstance; unplug and step back- observe what you feel by allowing yourself the freedom to do so. Comprehending what you feel allows you to attentively manage your feelings- releasing the limiting need for control.
Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor conflicts- Sigmund Freud
Exploring emotions permits you to take a deeper look at them and filter them in a way that is more positive toward how they are outwardly expressed. When you deny your emotions you effectively shut down the deepest part of who you are- your life force. There is a distinct vulnerability within you and there is strength in that vulnerability from your heart space. Our body is an intelligent system of inner wisdom and connection and our emotions reflect upon everything. Connecting to what you feel encourages that system and fortifies it; helping to align your emotional, mental and physical state to reach a more harmonious energy. Anger expressed more positively is acted out through a force of striving forward and determination, and through fear you can find the most beautiful example of bravery and courage. Emotions can be gently coaxed into a more inspirational direction that encourages growth and movement.
The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web. Pablo Picasso
We connect, resonate and stay in flow with who and what’s around us through our feelings. It is important to recognise and reflect on your own feelings, but also have the empathy to try and understand someone else’s emotions and to share yours too. Value what you feel and what others have expressed to you also- feelings have a voice of their own that deserve to be heard. If you constantly silence your emotions, you push them back into a darkened room rather than give them the positive outlet they need. Do not negate your own emotions or those of others- we evolve through a platform of mutual understanding and resonance. Switch the light on and give feelings the authentic spaciousness they need; this is all part of intelligently managing and guiding your sentiments and finding your peace within.
When you are compassionate and accepting of yourself this is extended outwardly to all that is around you. We can often be too hard on ourselves, our own worst critics…and this tangles and twists our mind-space and emotional direction. Give yourself the gift of your own kindness; value the subtlety and entirety of your being- accept yourself as a whole person and find your place of emotional equilibrium.
Feelings need recognition, reflection, and refining to be better managed and positively absorbed and expressed through the higher energies of love, acceptance, understanding and empathy- you choose which emotions you give strength and power to.
We are the creators of our thoughts and feelings- we paint our picture of perspective, passion and purpose with the colours we decide to use.
Categorised as: Love and Relationships, Well Being and Mindfulness