The first step in understanding our emotions and building emotional intelligence
Includes a downloadable PDF List of Emotions
A couple weeks ago I referenced the importance of understanding our own emotions. When we understand and are clear about our own emotions, we know ourselves better, understand our own story more thoroughly, are better able to take care of ourselves and have clarity about where our emotions end and someone else's begin. Having clarity about the perimeter of our own emotional world makes us more aware and resilient to times when other people, whether it be a stranger, friend, or family member attempts to shift the responsibility of their emotions onto us.
Having emotional clarity is also necessary in order for us to take full responsibility for our own emotions. Without that clarity we will absolutely be the ones with our emotions coming out sideways and harming ourselves and others in the process. If we are not intentionally taking knowledge-based responsibility for our emotions then we are unintentionally causing harm with them.
Developing our own emotional health and intelligence requ…