Feel It All: Emotions as Messengers

Emotions are messengers. They aren’t good or bad, right or wrong. They’re natural and normal, and they give us information about ourselves.

Emotional agility is a term coined by psychologist Susan David. Emotional agility is the ability to be with your emotions with curiosity, compassion, and especially the courage to take values-connected steps.

Dr. David shares common but ineffective responses to strong emotions.

Bottling - Nothing to see here
Brooding - Constant storm cloud
Forced Positivity - Everything is wonderful
Co-brooding - Bringing other people into the storm 

And three questions to ask instead:

- Am I treating myself with kindness? 
- What is my emotion trying to tell me?
- What is one step I can take toward addressing the issue?

Poem shared in this episode: The Guest House by Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne

Books for this and upcoming episodes on emotions:

Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown

Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan David.