January 7, 2015

Can We Choose Our Emotions?

Emotions, especially the kind that are strong and destructive, such as rage, angry, feeling offended, are not something we can choose, or necessarily choose, but something we should learn to control.

4 comments:

  1. We don't choose our emotions but we do choose how we handle them and how we react.
    Negative emotions can be used to create something beautiful and meaningful through a creative activity.
    We can meditate, exercise. We need to make sure we sleep enough.

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    1. "Negative emotions can be used to create something beautiful and meaningful through a creative activity. "
      --- totally true, julia! both van gogh and patricia highsmith were brilliant examples. of course, many others too.

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  2. Yun, I think that’s absolutely right. Destructive emotions can often be spontaneous, it’s not a choice; it’s more of a negative reaction. Someone with little control over their emotions may react immediately and negatively, and sometimes violently. Learning to control those emotions is key and sometimes the negative reaction can then channeled into something positive.

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    1. "sometimes the negative reaction can then channeled into something positive."
      --- well said Madilyn!

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