Understanding and Interpreting Feelings

The Nature of Emotions

Human beings often struggle with their own emotions. Feelings sometimes arise without permission — some bring happiness, while others create pressure and distress.

Emotions can become triggers and reasons why we find it difficult to move on from problems. Yet, there are many ways to understand, interpret, and manage our emotions.

Inner Conflict

When we face problems, without realizing it, we often create new internal conflicts within our minds. This happens because we experience two opposing emotions at the same time. On one side, we feel uncomfortable because of the problem; on the other, we want to quickly escape from it but feel incapable of doing so.

Let us examine this step by step. Is it not true that our minds become tangled because of mixed emotions that we either fail to untangle or refuse to confront?

Seeing Through a Different Lens

First, why do we feel uncomfortable when facing problems? The answer is simple: we often look at problems through blinders, like wearing horse blinkers. As a result, feelings emerge that place ourselves as the most right, the most mistreated, the most unappreciated, and so on. All of these eventually lead to denial, helplessness, and self-justification.

However, if we are willing to view situations from a different perspective, our emotions will also change, and consequently, our actions will change. In other words, by shifting our emotions, we expand our possibilities and choices.

Why do we enjoy wearing these blinders? Again, the answer is simple: we limit our freedom of thought solely based on events or painful facts. Yet, the human brain is incredibly powerful, capable of thinking, feeling, speaking, and acting beyond painful experiences — as long as we are willing to instruct it to do so.

Wanting vs. Being Able

Second, there is the feeling that we lack the ability to overcome and escape from our problems.

Here, we should smile, because in reality, we often confuse wanting with being able.

Wanting is a choice, while being able is an effort. Honestly admit that often we have not yet chosen to truly want to change. Therefore, never expect any transformation or external help before making the choice to want to step out of the problem. This is the secret of the first step in any meaningful change.

The Foundation of Change

Find the deepest reason why you must rise from the problem — this becomes the foundation of your choice to want.

Deciding and allowing ourselves to choose wanting will shift our emotions for the better and influence our next actions.

Once we commit to this choice, only then do we empower ourselves through effort.