Emotions

Emotions record what is important in life.  They are the purest part of you.

How can I learn to control my emotions?  Don't.  If you're sad, cry.  If you're happy, smile.  If you are angry, do something constructive.  Others will try and teach you when, where, and how it is appropriate to exhibit your emotions.  This is wrong.  Feel how you feel, when you are feeling it.  Envy. Jealousy. Anger. These might sound like negative emotions, but they're not.  They are just emotions.  It's what you do with these feelings that matters.

This is the area that I have failed you the most.  Teaching you to "suck-it-up" when you were sad. Telling you to be happy when you were mad.   I remember the day you lost the class election.  You were so upset.  I saw you choking back the tears.  My first inclination was to try to cheer you up.  I reminded you that you didn't expect to win.  I tried to convince you that you were better off.   I'm sorry.  I was misguided.  I understand that now.  You just needed time.

I want you to remember to be honest about how you're feeling.  Your emotions record what is important in life.  Share them with the ones you love.  Your emotions are the closest you will get to the truth.  Emotions can lead you to be incredibly hurtful and destructive, or they can move you to greatness.  It's your choice. Your most important experiences will be emotional ones.  You can recognize them easily.  They will make you laugh and make you cry.  Emotional experiences are a brief glimpse of the truth.  They will stay with you whether you want them to or not.

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