YOUR EMOTIONS
In English we use exactly the same word to denote a sensory physical touch or sensation as for ‘feeling’ meaning emotional mood and experience. Although it is often the case that sensory feeling is accompanied by an emotional state, it is important that we clarify that the following use of the word applies to our emotions. Emotions can directly affect out mental health.
The basic emotions of a human being we know as feelings of contentment, happiness or joy, suffering or pain, sympathy, kindness, anger, envy, jealousy, compassion, irritation, fear, faith, anxiety, hatred, love, yearning, desire, and so on. In each person these ingredients are developed and exercised differently to make up a different and unique recipe of emotions that define his individuality and which separate him from other people around him. Many of the basic ingredients may be common but how these ingredients are blended is up to the choice of each individual. These familiar feelings or emotions may be blended into a character seeking harmony in a stable and positively polarized personality or can be thrown together in a recipe which results in a chaotic and violent emotional disposition.
Untrained emotions are usually a hotch potch of emotional and often unconscious responses to one’s life experiences without having been sorted or cleansed to eliminate the negatives, which regrettably, often predominate. This state continues until the person grows discomforted in being always in anger, depression, fear or other unpleasant emotional states and uses his will to alter his mood. To alter one’s emotional pattern requires time and patience do all efforts involved in self culture. Success depends upon our own clear goal and also a degree of friendly encouragement from others.
Our emotions require nourishment through idealism, affection, companionship, devotion, appreciation by others, loving kindness and understanding – all of which will encourage growth of the finest emotions. These feelings, if neglected will allow any negative emotions to grow like weeds. Worse, if you would consciously choose to have interest in matters of violence, ugliness, horror and depravity, the emotional nature will in turn seek to express these degraded actions and emotions. It is a matter of choice.
It may be easier to say “I was born that way” than to undertake a change in habitual emotional reactions or to affirm that it is laziness which allows negative emotions to take hold and become an obstruction to intellectual achievement and peace of mind.
The rewards for undertaking self-responsibility however are great will endure for your lifetime as you enjoy greater greater mental fitness.
