Emotions, man. It seems like my entire social circle is infested with a bunch of them recently. I predict things can only get worse as Valentine's Day comes around. The unfortunate things is that emotions don't actually have to be an annoyance.
Typical Male Response to Emotions (observed): I seem to feel sad (or happy, etc) about X, but this does not make sense based on my models. How frustrating, I want it to go away. I will attack this emotion with logic until I do not feel it anymore.
Typical Female Response to Emotions (observed): I have an emotion - it must mean something important!
*Requisite disclaimer: sample sizes in both cases are small and may not reflect the general population. I recognize that both (any) genders can fall into both traps.
Can't we take a more balanced approach? Emotions are really cool things if handled responsibly. Why can't we think of them as extra energy to be understood and directed. If we understand where an emotion comes from, we can either
Typical Male Response to Emotions (observed): I seem to feel sad (or happy, etc) about X, but this does not make sense based on my models. How frustrating, I want it to go away. I will attack this emotion with logic until I do not feel it anymore.
Typical Female Response to Emotions (observed): I have an emotion - it must mean something important!
*Requisite disclaimer: sample sizes in both cases are small and may not reflect the general population. I recognize that both (any) genders can fall into both traps.
Can't we take a more balanced approach? Emotions are really cool things if handled responsibly. Why can't we think of them as extra energy to be understood and directed. If we understand where an emotion comes from, we can either
- Know how to change them by changing the causes/stimuli
- Use them!
- As that extra bit of activation energy needed to cause to act for the better.
- To sustain ourselves through tough situations.
There's nothing wrong with letting emotions help drive you, if you know where they're going and why. No need to be afraid to feel - just remember to challenge and understand!
