We all experience emotions. They aren’t always predictable, nor are they always controllable. As humans, we ride the topsy turvy ride that our emotions create, causing us to hold on for dear life at times, and at others, allow us to blissfully rest and enjoy what is present.
Many examples of topsy turvy emotions come with watching one of my favorite television shows, Dancing with the Stars. Part of the entertainment is in watching how the dancers deal with the pressure of competition and how they over-ride the emotion of fear. I also watch how the ups and downs of their emotions can affect the relationship they have with their partner. Some of the time they struggle, and other times, they are riding high. Sometimes they’re in deep fear and do not perform at their best and other times, they are confident and trusting of themselves and their partner.
What strikes me is that no one is immune. As long as we are all breathing, living beings in this physical world, the emotional ride is going to be part of our experience. Sometimes, we may be able to control our emotions, other times, not so much. If that is so, why not just accept the topsy-turvy ride and see what we can learn in the process, knowing eventually the ride will eventually end?
Since I have experienced a lot of rides myself and know I have always survived, and in fact, have often grown significantly as a result of some particularly challenging experiences, I want to not fear the emotions, but just watch them come and go and learn something in the process.
I want to watch the emotions rise and take me higher and also observe them if they suddenly drop me (imagine that first big drop on a roller coaster) and trust that I can survive it all. I need not be damaged by the ride or shaken up for life. I want to know when I put my feet on solid ground, I will remember that I am not my emotions and that I am just going for a ride.