The juice of life is emotion. When something stirs you; be that great art, music, writing, song and dance, all are birthed through the creative process of emotional life. Pleasure, pain and power. Look in any dictionary and you’ll find dead described as devoid of emotion, sensitivity and activity, motionless and incapable of being moved or opening up.
Emotions are the glue that hold relationships, families and societies together. Built on the bond, bridged by connecting beyond the rational, it’s this deeply visceral sensing that unites. Felt. Embodied. It re-establishes our integral need to feel part of a greater whole. Our common-unity. It’s a universal language interoceptively understood by all living things.
Even krill feel and emote.
Relationships are the essence of life and are always built on emotions. Imagine not relating, not connecting with feeling, the awkward silent, ambivalent instants, but also those, deeply intimate, fulfilling moments.
One can’t exist without the other, they’re part of the same continuum.
Emotional Literacy Versus Emotional intelligence
Emotional literacy is different from emotional intelligence in that it dives into the universe of emotions. Name any adjective and it can literally be translated as something we feel and can express, if we choose to. Recognising the uniqueness of each emotion for what it is, we don’t pathologize it.
Giving it space to be, and become because emotions always move and shape shift, we actually harness the energy within. Then it informs our choices as to what changes we want and need to create, transforming us in the process.
We need emotional literacy because an emotion holds immense energy. Instead of sublimating or diverting the intense charge that arises, similar to giving gas and then slamming on the breaks, it’s harnessed and channeled. Used instead of wasted, emotional literacy gives us the understanding and momentum needed to create the much needed change. Be that societal, relational, political, environmental or physiological.
Emotional Literacy
Emotional literacy is first feeling what arises within us as an energetic statement. Are you fired up, did someone throw a wet blanket on your fire, have your socks been knocked off, are you off track, beaten down, sucked dry, deflated or elated, alive and kicking, radiant, priceless, ready to roll, unmovable and content or ready to sing your heart out?
Use that information.
Second, understand what initiated the feeling in the first place. Was it something someone said, did, gained, or displayed that triggered it? Or is it an underlying fear, association, belief or thought that caused the feeling? And from that knowledge, deduct what changes need to occur to prevent, if it affects you adversely, or to direct the energy to full fruition, if favourable. Use the inherent energy within the emotion to transform what needs changing.
Thirdly, find out how to emote that energy as a culmination and real-I-sation, (sation means sowing), of what you know deep down to be right for you at this moment in space and time.
Emotions are Storytellers Enhancing Wellbeing
Whether promising or disparaging, each emotion tells a story. Connecting our past with present and future, mind with body and soul, as well as me/you/we with world. It’s deep, juicy stuff. Confusing only if we don’t take the time to become literate in this very nuanced language.
Emotional literacy directs and channels the energy flow of a feeling by emoting it. Expression either in work, creative projects, programmes that create change, art or music. It transforms our physiology, energy, chemistry and therefore our moods, mind states and enables releasing old psychological patterns and beliefs. Creating space for new, life-affirming expressions of being human.
Be limitless in your imaginings, generous in your love and courageous with your actions!
Much Love,
