Before I explain my own thoughts and feelings I'd like to start with the question, or concept, that I am battling with.
How important are emotions? How important is the practical stuff? Anyone find it hard finding a balance between the two? Or anyone finding themselves under attack for being more about the emotions than the average joe? I'm sure there are a bunch of other things to say about this topic, so please do share what you have to say.
Greetings, from a thoughtful Joneya
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Like Gariga, I can be both analytical and emotional.
For me, there is a difference between feelings and emotions. To me, feelings are quiet and intuitive, and they give me guidance as to how to approach a situation. I pay close attention to my feelings, and I really do trust my intuition above all else.
On the other hand, emotions are often just the predictable result of particular thoughts and thinking patterns. I pay attention to my emotions to the extent that they help me identify my own thinking patterns, and negative emotions show me that I am looking at things in a negative way. Ongoing negative emotions suggest that I may need to take action to change my situation somehow.
Having said that, I know that it's not that simple, and sometimes it can be hard to pinpoint where the emotions are coming from. Sometimes our thinking/emotional patterns are so ingrained that we are not even aware of how we are being triggered, as this occurs on a subconscious level rather than consciously.
In summary, I think emotions can provide important feedback on what needs changing in ourselves and our lives, but are not important in themselves. On the other hand, I think intuitive feelings are VERY important, and can help us in very practical ways in our lives.
I think we often get caught up in the emotions themselves instead of focusing on what they are telling us.
What I came across was this "fact" that emotional people (ie. me) often use emotions as an excuse - while logical/rational people just plow through things in a way that I "can't". This person that made me think about all of this is a man. I admire him, he has a great deal of strength - a kind of strength that I lack and that I admire. But it is combined with this lack of empathy. I guess I'm wishing there was a good golden path, but in the end, both ways are good in their own way. He is strong through being cold - he has a hard time with others being emotional though. At first, I wanted to hate him for it, but with time I've come to realize that I think there is something to his approach. It's hard though - I was raised to always listen to what I was feeling and honor those feelings. Now I see someone who doesn't do it, and is strong through it.
I was forced to suppress a lot of emotion when a child: My dad called me a cry baby, my mother was always telling me to control my temper. So, a couple of years ago, I decided I would not suppress any of my emotions again, so, i've had a considerable amount of "emotional barfing" to do. However, it's very freeing and cleansing.
Speaking for myself, I have a rather dual nature, in that I can be super practical/logical/analytical, but, am also very sensitive and emotional. I feel that part of our personalities has to do with our conditioning and a part of it our social mores into which we've tried to fit.
I totally love the insight that Merryn has and wonderful explanation. Well said, both of you, actually all of you who have responded. Great topic.