RELEASE THE EMOTION - 1: Introduction

Emotions can limit you

Emotions fulfill an important function.

Without emotions we would not be fully alive.

They sometimes have a life of their own, and we are
not always in control of them.

This is mostly OK, it makes us spontaneous and human.

On the other hand, we all sometimes get stuck in
paralyzing emotions.

Emotions we cannot free ourselves from, despite being
aware, on a rational level, that these emotions just
drain our energy and limit our ability to act in
constructive ways.

Research has even shown a connection between
negative and limiting emotions and heart diseases.

You have emotions, but you are not your emotions.

This is an ability we probably are born with, but which then gradually has been lost.
Just think about young children: they can one moment be terribly furious at someone,
or inconsolably sorry, and then in the next moment play again in a friendly way, or be
content and happy again when someone has comforted them. Despite having a very
strong emotion, the child is able to somehow just let it go.

Note that the expression ”an emotional state” is not synonymous to “emotion”.
The experience of an emotion passes in a short moment, and is connected with
something going on in our inner or outer reality.
On the other hand, to be in an emotional state, a mood, is something that continues
during a longer period of time - hours, days, or even weeks and months.

To be in a positive emotional state is desirable, as it gives energy.

To be in a negative emotional state can be natural and inevitable if it is connected to
some external cause or situation. The negative emotional state can motivate and
give energy to create necessary change.