What exactly are our emotions?  “An emotion is a complex psychological state that involves three distinct components: a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioural or expressive response.”  (Hockenbury & Hockenbury, 2007)

It is interesting that emotions are a “subjective experience”.  Which means that despite (at times) people experiencing the same situations, events, relationships, places, etc the interpretation of such WILL differ.

Yet subjectivity is only one component of what emotions are.  Hockenbury & Hockenbury also determine that an emotions also have a physiological response.  In her book, Molecules of Emotion,  neuroscientist Candace Pert explains “As our feelings change, this mixture of peptides travels throughout your body and your brain. And they’re literally changing the chemistry of every cell in your body.”

Our cells are fundamental building blocks of our physical being.  It is at this level where our health and well-being is determined.    If our cells are flooded with negativity,  negative chemistry will result disabling the cells from performing optimally.

The third component is HOW we respond to our emotions.   The word emotion originates from the French word “emouvoir” which means to excite.  As well as the Latin word “emovere” which means to move.  Our emotions serve to motivate us to take action (move) towards things that excite us.  Emotions also serve for us to take action in order to survive and thus keep ourselves safe from danger.

Emotions Position description

Our emotions serve a purpose and have a job to do.  The problem happens when our emotions become over zealous about their role.  When they (as such) go beyond their position description and become over zealous. Such over zealousness creates imbalance and our emotions require “performance management”.

When we understand the message our emotions are giving us then we are given the key as to how to manage them!

So what are our emotions telling us?

Anger
Anger is often a catalyst for change.  It gives way for the opportunity to transform and to take responsibility.  Ask yourself:   what needs to change in your life?  what do you need to take responsibility for?  what part did you play in the situation? how can you create more peace in your life?  Action:  Practice forgiveness

Depression
Depression provides an opportunity for a person to get to know themselves at a deeper and genuine level.   If we don’t allow depression to take over, it is an emotion which can motivate people to deep and lasting healing.   Ask yourself:  what are the benefits of feeling down?  how does this feeling serve me?  what does it give me excuses not to do?  what is it that I’ve been suppressing that I need to address?

Fear
Fear and excitement use the same energy! Although people tend to misread excitement as fear, thus sabotaging ourselves from taking action and enabling change.  Ask yourself:  what is the worse thing that could happen with this change?  and what can I do to counteract that?  What are the benefits of change?  What are the drawbacks of not changing?  Action:  Do something small which you are fearful of each day.  You build up your resistance to fear and create a habit of taking action despite fear.

Grief
Grieving occurs when the person has or perceives loss.  Whether that loss is a person, relationship, home and/or job.  Whatever the loss is grief is an important part of healing.  However if we prolong our grief it keeps a person stuck in the past and inhibits them from moving forward.  Ask yourself:  how has my loss given way for new opportunities?  If the loss is a person consider how moving forward honours them.

Guilt
Guilt is a very destructive emotion which keeps the person imprisoned and confined rather than feeling free.  It is an indicator that the person needs to lighten their energy and release the burdens they are carrying.   Ask yourself: what is the lesson in the situation for me?  what is the lesson for other/s?   Action:  Go to a park and swing – feel the freedom it gives!

Jealousy
Jealousy is most often due to feelings of inferiority as well as lack mentality.   It can also close a person’s heart creating resentment and limitation.  Action:  Focus on being grateful, finding the blessings in EVERYTHING.  Also use meditations (or essences) which help open your heart.

Judgement
Judgement can be an indicator of controlling behaviours or the need to be in control.  It is an emotion which inhibits the person from being empowered as they are putting others down to feel better about them self.  Often when this behaviour is imbalanced it is due to being conflicted within.  Ask yourself:   What can I do to honour myself?  and others?  Focus on meditations which focus on trusting the flow of life.

Overwhelm
Overwhelm diminishes our peace and creates chaos.   It often occurs when we are looking at the big picture and many things at once.   Action:  Focus on firstly prioritising the activities, then breaking them down into manageable chunks.  Use breathing or meditation techniques to create centredness and peace.

Rejection
Rejection or more aptly put the fear of rejection stops many from pursuing their goals and fully connecting with the joy of life.  When feeling rejection there is a need to release from patterns of self-criticism and self-pity to work on increasing self worth.  Consider this:  That rejection is not of you or your work.  Rather it’s due to someone not taking the time to understand what you have to offer and as a result they have lost out.

Resentment
Resentment happens when we feel we have been unfairly treated or feel taken advantage of.  As resentment continues to resonate it turns into righteousness and we fail to see points of view other than our own.  Action step:  Consider what the other person’s point of view is in the situation.  Perhaps set up two chairs in one chair you speak as yourself and in the other you speak as the other person.

Sadness
Refer to Grief

Stress
Stress occurs when people are not living in the present moment.  As it continues they neglect their personal needs, particularly the tension that builds up.  Instead of allowing things to flow they strain to get things done, piling on more tasks as they go.  Action steps:  Use Resonate Essences “Present Time” spray or use our “Calling your Spirit back” meditation.  What specific aspect relating to yourself have you been neglecting? e.g exercise, food, water

Unworthiness
When a person feels unworthy it is because they fail to see the value that they contribute to the world.  They are often very critical of themselves and judge themselves more harshly than others.  They give and/or allow others to take their personal power.   Action:  Define your boundaries; what is and isn’t acceptable to you.  Ask others to list three positive things about you.  At the end of the day for three weeks write down all your achievements, things you did well or that you wouldn’t usually do.

Worry
Refer to fear