The Power of Feeling

The word ‘emotion” dates back to 1599. It was adapted from the French
word ‘emouvoir’ wish means to ‘stir up’ or ‘to move’.

Perhaps our dedication to keeping our lives ‘tranquil’ makes us resist the ‘stirring up’
that feelings cause. We suppress and deny that our feelings are real.
We can make ourselves sick avoiding understanding our feelings.
Feelings embarrass us because they expose us, but undeniably our feelings tell our deepest truth.

We begin learning the six basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise) from birth and eventually, through socialization, we learn that some emotions are permitted while others are forbidden. A little girl may want to ‘fight’ but will be told fighting is unladylike. A boy may want to play house but may be warned not to be a ‘sissy’. As they grow, she will be embarrassed by anger. He will be embarrassed by tenderness.

Cultural pressures guide what we believe about feelings and, how or if, we manifest them.
New scientific research is indicating that our health is connected to our emotional well-being. How we think and feel alters the strength of our immune system, the body’s network of defense against disease. Just as important as what you eat is “What’s eating you”.


This month’s discussion about ‘feelings’ will
help you find your own special ‘music’ that will lead you to the ‘song’ you were born
to sing in this lifetime.

“Feelings do not grow old along with the body. Feelings form part of a world I don’t know.
But it’s a world where there’s no time, no space, no frontiers.”

Paulo Coelho

From the Book Kiss Your Life/ Reason: 110/ Page: 128/ By: Ann Mody Lewis Ph.D