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In our previous discussion, we explored the difference between emotions and feelings. Today, we're concluding the self-awareness portion of emotional intelligence by examining the six primary emotions common to both humans and animals and their meaning.
These core emotions are a part of almost every list, from ancient Indian literature to Darwin's The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals to modern-day theories. It's important to remember that these are the basic physiological sensations we experience when interacting with our surroundings. The labels we apply to them are personal, and there's a lovely bio-individuality that emotional intelligence helps us appreciate.
ANGER – The Fire
Anger gets a bad rap, but it's not all doom and gloom. When our values, safety, or boundaries are crossed, anger can rise up, urging us to stand up for ourselves and our beliefs. Ignoring these feelings can lead to sadness, but when we express anger in healthy ways, it can be a turbo boost of energy and motivation. We can harness this power by setting kind boundaries, striving for our goals, fighting for important causes, and defending the things we cherish. So don't be afraid to let that fiery passion light up your life!
FEAR – The Darkness
Fear is triggered by the threat of harm, whether real or imagined. This danger could affect our physical, emotional, or psychological health. Although we all have fears, we can learn to fear almost anything. In a Super Soul Sunday interview with Brené Brown, Oprah referred to anxiety, jealousy, and greed as elements of a fear-based culture. Brown added that eating, drinking, drugs, and rage are all rooted in fear. We're all afraid, but we can also be brave.
SADNESS – The Rain
Sadness creeps in like an uninvited guest, usually when we sense a loss or when something near and dear to us is no more. It's like a bundle of emotions - a longing for the good old days, a wistful feeling, a melancholy mood, and even a dash of sorrow. It's not just limited to losing a loved one; we can feel it when we say goodbye to a job or a relationship, or when we outgrow our favourite things. Even growing up and adulting can be a trigger for it. Bottom line, when a change happens, sadness can sneak up on us.
DISGUST – The Ewww
Disgust is a strong aversion to a smell, touch, person, or behaviour that's "morally repugnant" to us. It's often confused with fear in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The universal function of disgust is to avoid, block or eliminate something that's offensive, toxic, or contaminating. While it has some advantages, disgust can also be dangerous. Most societies teach people to avoid certain groups of people who are deemed physically or morally repulsive, contributing to dehumanising and degrading others.
JOY/HAPPINESS – The Sunshine
Sure, happiness is cool and all, but have you ever felt that electric jolt of pure joy? It's what Brené Brown calls a soul-deep connection, a moment where everything just clicks and you're in awe of something bigger than you. Maybe it's the rush of a thundering waterfall or the thump of a killer beat on the dance floor. That's joy, baby! A bolt of lightning that strikes you out of nowhere and leaves you buzzing for days. And here's a pro-tip: If you want more of that joy-filled goodness, try practising gratitude. It's like happiness' proactive cousin that asks you to take notice of the amazing things in your life.
SURPRISE – The Thunder
Picture the moment when something totally unexpected occurs, and your brain goes, "What in the world?" That's surprise, the quickest of all emotions, zooming by in mere seconds. Once we've figured out what's going on, surprise can morph into a whole range of feelings, from fear to amusement, relief to disgust, and everything in between. But sometimes, we may not feel anything at all if we decide that the surprise was no big deal. Just remember, startle is a physical reflex, while surprise is a full-blown emotional roller coaster!