compliments of
FutureVisionsSM
creating sustainable results in growth and performance
Are we too quick to label some
emotions "negative"? Evidence is emerging that ALL emotions are life-affirming -
that the only negative emotions are stuck emotions. Here are some “primary”
emotions and their protective messages as well as related emotions which are
similar in nature to the “primary” emotion:
Guilt: together with blame and self pity this is one of the main ways we use for
control and to avoid/prevent the seeing of what is really going on – and it is
also used against us for the same reasons. This is connected to, but different
from Shame: your self-esteem and well-being are too dependent on other people’s
approval. Related emotions: embarrassment, inferiority, shyness, loneliness.
Allegedly shame and guilt are related to letting one’s
values or standards down,
but these are now becoming highly suspect reasons, as is the one about society
needing guilt to ensure “proper behaviour”.
Apathy: you have lost direction and hope. Related emotions (often underlying
apathy): cynicism, hopelessness, disappointment, boredom or anger.
Anger: there is a threat to your well-being or the well-being of someone or
something you care about. Anger is often a coward, because underneath it is
really extremely vulnerable (like the meat inside the oyster shell) yet
potentially very powerful. Related emotions: frustration, irritability, fury and
rage. Allegedly depression can be caused by anger being turned inwards and
apathy can be the result of denied chronic anger (although these two old
Freudian wives’ tales are becoming discredited). Anger usually has information
to give you, which you are not accepting.
Fear: there is a threat to your welfare which you are not yet capable of
handling. Fear is not a curse but rather a potentially great and constructive
force: it can be life saving if we are afraid of the right thing at the right
time. Related emotions: anxiety and worry (both these are also known as the
abuse of the imagination). Fear can be a friend, showing you that something may
be better avoided, or fear may show you a belief which you may wish to release.
Envy: you need something which you do not have. Usually envy also highlights
something which you are not permitting yourself to have, be or do. Related
emotions: powerlessness, apathy or shame.
Jealousy: your wellbeing is very dependent on the love and attention of another
person, and your relationship with that person is therefore jeopardized (too
needy). Look within to discover what incompletions, usually to do with self-love
and within your family, are involved.
Unbridled love: you are endangering your own happiness and welfare by caring for
others much more than yourself. Related emotions: uncontrollable pity and
compassion. Can also lead to jealousy, guilt and despair. Often the result of
not loving oneself enough, and thus being unable to understand that it is first
necessary to be self-ish before there can be an overflow from which to give away
energy and love.
Click here
to Explore Your Belief Systems
Click here for the
Six-Step Change Model for changing your thoughts
and increasing your happiness
Click
here for the ABC Change Model for learning optimism
