I spent a lot of time in my life controlling emotion, not feeling it. When I was 13, my parents were divorced and I tried to live the lyrics “I am a rock, I am an island” from my favourite Simon & Garfunkel song.
By the time I was an adult and going through my own divorce I could not tell you what I was feeling – I was angry or OK and could not find anything between. It took a long process to help me discover what I was feeling and then to tap into my purpose and start living it.
This TED Talk by Susan David is so insightful about what role emotion plays in our lives. She challenges a culture that prizes positivity over emotional truth and discusses the powerful strategies of emotional agility.
Some of my favourites parts are:
“When emotions are pushed aside they become stronger”
“Emotions are data about what is happening inside, they are not who you are” and the best of all ….
“In seeing yourself, you are able to see others too. The only sustainable way forward in a beautiful and fragile world” – Susan David
Click on the image below to watch the TED talk. If you want guidance on connecting to your true self and exploring the co-activity of being and doing, contact me or chat to one of the amazing coaches at Collective Coach.