The Illusion of Our Emotional Realities

miWisdom today… When people become obsessed with something to the extent that it overwhelms them emotionally, they naturally become disillusioned by their circumstances. This naturally effects the person’s decision making process to the extent that they are simply unable to comprehend the validity of their decisions in the moment. They are simply unable to logically understand the consequences of their decisions towards themselves, others and the world around them.

Acting only through emotion can lead to much anguish and disappointment in life. Our emotions can either make things appear light or dark, good or bad, right or wrong, yet they are only a perspective that we hold in the moment, a perspective that was influenced by something internal or external in our environment. If we fail to see our emotions for what they really are, than we will simply fail to make sense of the possible consequences of the decisions we are about to make.

It is important to note that our emotions are not our feelings. They are simply representations of one of many possible realities based on the array of emotions we experience at any time.

The next time you are feeling overwhelmed by your emotions for better or worse, you may find it helpful to ask yourself the following questions before making any hurried decisions:

• Based on my current emotional state, what decision am I about to make?
• Is this how reality is, or is it just a representation of the emotions I am experiencing at this very moment?
• If I was to experience a contradictory emotion opposite to what I feel at the moment, how would I interpret this situation differently? Would I make a different decision?
• Do I have the entire picture of the situation, or do my emotions filter out logical evidence to the contrary?
• If I was to logically think about this situation from an outsiders perspective, what would I see? How would I interpret the people, circumstances and events?
• What are the potential short and long-term consequences of the decision I am about to make?
• What impact could this decision have on myself, others and the world around me?
• The decision I am about to make may feel good, however is it in actuality good for me, and does it serve the greater good of all?
• Does my original decision make sense given what I now know, or is there a better alternative?

If you have a similar learning experience or would like to add to the list of questions, you may do so by commenting below.