Why It's Bad to Call Bad Feelings... Bad

Ok, so it's not the best title.  But this is a little more of a serious, deep topic than what I'd usually write. I learned some of these things while practicing meditation (ooobah) and also from doing a processing session with Carrie.  Trust me, it gets good.

One of the most common urges I think we have as human beings is the need to label things.  Specifically, to decide if emotions are negative or positive.

Is that helping?

When we put labels on emotions, we are often doing it to protect ourselves - whether we are aware of it or not.  For example, we may say it's bad to feel angry.  Why?  Because anger expressed can alienate those around us for a time and even ruin relationships when the fire rages out of control.  And we all know how important relationships are for us to thrive.

But consider this: what if that anger (or fear, or insecurity, or confusion) was merely a warning and a lesson, and wasn't really bad after all?  What if its primary purpose was actually to teach you something?

What if, for example, it was only telling you that something was out of whack in your expectations?  What if, like a sprained ankle, it was meant to teach you to take it easy for a bit and not expect so much from yourself?

Photo Credit: www.wellnesscoach.com

There are, of course, countless problems that these "negative" emotions are meant to uncover.  Heavenly Father's design includes an opposition in all things, and it is my personal belief that this opposition is meant (at least in part) to be a powerful, symbolic teacher.

Choosing to allow these emotions to be (rather than immediately putting them in a box to be condemned or praised), exploring them and letting them run their course enables you to be open to learning about deeper needs, wants, and unresolved issues in your life that you never would have discovered otherwise.  Labeling and thus confining our emotions prevents us from making those discoveries that "loose the chains that hold us bound."

For me, this discovery has facilitated the exposure of some mercilessly crippling core beliefs, ultimately giving me the peaceful reassurance I needed to face some of my biggest demons in life.  I hope it can do the same for you!

"...for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

-William Shakespeare