I got a lot of comments from my last post on Emotional U-turns. I'm surprised and happy that people are curious. Here's a bit more of what I've picked up.

Over the last 3 years, I've started seeing my knee-jerk reactions and defence mechanisms against emotions run out of steam. Raised in a conservative Vietnamese home, anger helped me rebel against the norms I didn't agree with. I'll wear god damn spaghetti straps if I want! Ain't nobody gonna to tell me what to do!

On several occasions that rebellious attitude has bitten me in the ass. Especially when it comes to team work. Hmmmm... I'm not sure if that perspective works here. I'm going to respect the original decision (translation - Ain't nobody gonna tell me what to do!).

My coach recommended I read 'The Language of Emotions' by Karla McLaren. I'm 50 pages in and my mind is blown. Here's a bit of what I've gathered so far about how my emotions drive me.

ANGER

Anger, in it's basic function, signifies a boundary has been crossed. Did that guy fucking cut in front of me!? Wait, why am I mad? Am I really that attached to the notion that people should wait in orderly lines? Where did I learn that? 

HAPPINESS

This perspective surprised me. "Happiness is a momentary emotion that helps you identify things that are fun and rewarding. It's a good little rest stop in your soul..." 

SADNESS

I hate feeling sad - it makes me feel weak and vulnerable. But what if sadness simply tells you that something you're holding onto needs to be let go? 

FEAR

Fear is simply your instincts on high alert. When you need it, fear hyper focuses your senses, "scans your environment and your stored memories, and it increases your ability to respond effectively to new or changing situations".

Each emotion is telling you something, informing you. In concert these emotions are powerful indicators of what drives you in everyday life. Being aware of the message is probably more powerful than any language can convey.