Emotions are not everything, but they should be felt and regulated. Even the unpleasant ones. Emotional regulation: “refers to the ability to manage and respond to one’s own emotions in a healthy and constructive way, encompassing awareness, acceptance, and expression of emotions. It’s a crucial skill for maintaining healthy relationships and overall well-being.” It takes vulnerability to feel our feels (especially to share with others), but it’s worth it if you want to actually beconnected to yourself and other people. And be fully known.

It also takes mental toughness to process and cope with emotions versus numbing or stuffing them. We have to understand that opposing feelings can co-exist and that we won’t always feel happy, excited, ____ insert whatever positive emotion. But we can feel sadness and thankfulness at the SAME TIME.

And sometimes our emotions lead us to our purpose or passion(s) – these are the deep, soul connecting feelings. The unexplainable ones. A connection is made when you figure out the experiences, people. activity, creation, etc. that makes you tear up. Not from sadness but from a place of love, passion and deep connection. Do more of that. I believe that’s Jesus saying YES, do & be that.