feelings.

becoming aware of feelings.

Why is it worthwhile to become aware of and get in touch with one's feelings?

Many are blocked with feelings: feelings of fear, guilt, embarrassment, shame, depression, and self-hatred. When I am so blocked, I am generally too caught up in the feeling and its associated thought patterns to even be aware of the cause of the blockage. At such time I would be likely to describe my overall outlook as 'general malaise,' when the preferred option would be to pinpoint and name the negative feeling that has overtaken my good spirits. When I can name the feelings being experienced, I can deal with them. I am addressing and conquering rather than wallowing and wondering, and life becomes more satisfying and fulfilling.

Feelings are a key to insight and self-understanding. Discovering my feelings helps me to understand what is going on with myself. The oft bad neighborhood of my mind becomes a safer and more enjoyable place to be.

Feelings , while only temporary and fleeting (like everything else in this life), are real. I must keep things real. Living a life that shuts out as much ignorance as possible helps to shuttle me onward toward inner peace.

I can improve my understanding of and empathize with other people when I am in touch with and can respond properly to my own feelings.

The decision-making process tends to work out a little better if I know what the heck I am feeling. I no longer have to operate from the level of someone else's (friend's, media's, society's, etc.) 'shoulds' and 'oughts'; I can operate from a level of what is really best under the circumstances in my situation.

If I can become aware of my feelings, I can truly understand and actually put into practice of not necessarily acting on all of my feelings. Just because I have a feeling does not mean that I have to or should act upon it. I can pause to consider my feelings and make a conscious decision regarding the appropriate reaction to the feeling. I can abandon the old methods of automatic, machine reactions to feelings.

My relationships and communications will not be subject to as much disturbing and limiting static if I can apply my awareness of feelings to them.

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