Feelings are Messengers

Full Talk

1 Hour, 9 Minutes

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I have often heard clients say “I’m sad for no reason” or “I’m angry for no reason”. There is always a reason, although it may not be for the reason(s) we think.

Our feelings are a communication device and have important messages to give to us about the state of our minds and hearts. Feelings of happiness, peace and joy are messengers of well-being, although very few people consult me because they are experiencing too much happiness, peace and joy in their lives! We tend to seek help when we are captured by more troublesome and distressing feelings.

Our feelings can sometimes be hard to articulate. We may feel them as sensations in the body rather than as an identifiable emotion. Sometimes people claim not to feel anything at all, but even ‘numb’ can be a helpful messenger. Mild irritation may not seem like much, but it can disturb our peace of mind like a dripping faucet. That mild irritation may actually be the tip of an iceberg of intense rage. In some cases, certain feelings may be covering up other feelings. Anxiety may be masking unsung grief. Anger and rage may be masking fear, shame and powerlessness.

When we are experiencing out-of-proportion emotional reactions to events and circumstances, it is a sure sign that there are powerful feelings struggling to get our attention.

We ignore our feelings and their messages at our peril. They are usually attempting to advise us of an emotional or psychological wound that needs attention and healing. We cannot heal what we cannot or will not feel.

Furthermore, the message is only likely to get louder and more disruptive until we take the time to pay attention. Let us not delay until the emotion becomes lodged in the body as chronic physical pain and distress.

“Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another” — Albert Einstein