Concept and words by John Philipp. Drawings by Phil Frank.
|
|
|
More by John Philipp |
|
|
|
More by John Philipp |
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 97
The generic concept is the important facet for me in this Byte: that some emotions are natural and some are learned and what does that mean to me?
An attempt to reboot our brain so that it can carry us through until Friday evening.
Plus the grouwnup boy at the child's school desk is kind of amusing.
The question as I see it about conscience is whether that is also learned or natural. I know some is learned because each society has different values.
I say, only half in jest, that religions and mothers invented guilt.
I'm sure there will be a lot of discussion about anger in this thread. I don't think anger is natural. I believe it is a human emotion that protects us from physchological fears.
I love your answer about embarrassment.
Possibly religion had nothing to do with embarassment and this one falls squarely on the mothers' shoulders. :)
I know some people will disagree with me on this, but I do not believe that animals get "angry."
Grief is also on that border since it requires learning as well.
An important point here is that we don't necessarily need to be saddled with all the emotions we think we have no control over. If we learned something we can unlearn it. By working at it, I dropped almost all anger from my life.
I do believe that grief comes with the territory of being alive and forming relationships with others. Not sure I understand what the learning component would be here.
As I mentioned above, I wouldn't get hung up on the specifics and, as you did, I'd examine other emotions within me. Quite possibly they all have learned and natural components to them.
The next question is do I want to modify the learned portions or are they working for me in a positive way?
Rest easy
Whether innate or learned, they are powerful if harnessed correctly. The ability to manipulate the body to perform through control of these emotions is key. I guess we are right back where we often begin- conscious thought and action versus the unconscious.
Okay, you had more here than I initially suspected. *tips hat
And ... did you ever think what an anger adult looks like to a two-year old?
There used to be a parent therapy technique where they videotaped the parents interacting with the children from the child's eye level and then replayed it for the parents. Pretty powerful stuff.
Now to explain anger..."a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong" Since a baby can get frustrated...but they don't have the mental power it takes to actually get angry, because they can't understand that they've been wronged.
The list on each side could be much longer as well. It is interesting to see the comments grow on this.
Kudos John
I appreciate the definition of "anger." I also feel that is the common understanding. In addition, however, I think we get angry also when faced with something that we have repressed or are afraid of facing.
I consider anger as the "final defense." That's why it is so strong. To keep me away from the part of me I don't want to face/deal with.
Good therapists will encourage patients to go with their anger and behind the anger come the tears and the "wound" is now open.
That's where the healing can take place.
You are doing your part, the rest is up to them.
Thought~Bytes are where the thinking never stops.
Pouts lips sadly.
You are right, parents are the prime suspoects.
A good term for them, Tanya.
Thanks.
There is nothing to "get." Sometimes Bytes connect strongly with an individual and their situation, sometimes they connect loosely, sometimes, not until later and sometimes never. Everyone has a different mental metabolism.
Though, you might turn off the TV while you ponder these.
Just kidding :)
And, by the way, I have a new fantastic angel icon, come by and comment on it, when you have the time. It's easy to find on my photo page! Thanks.
I'm on my way ...
One more: Laughing is a natural (true) emotion and thanks to the few gifted folks (like you), laughing will never go out of style.
Mortimer is much too sharp for that.
And, guilt isn't always a bad thing...
It can move you to much forgiveness, and growth as a person.
It's the generic that's important here, not the specifics.
Don't mean to say this is happening here, but concentrating on the specifics is one way people keep themselves from growing spiritually.
And, if you want, Tracy, you can go have her! Waaah!
Ha, ha!
I can think of a few times from my youth when a good dose of embarrassment kept me from doing some truly stupid things...
But all that discussion will divert us away from the learning in this Byte.
Good one and very thought provoking.
As I said above, "Not a discussion of what's an appropriate behavior just that some behaviors are learned and, therefore, we have some control over them, including unlearning."
The not sad part is we can do something about it.
and it needn't be an effort — just be true.