Logic is a Great Lawyer, but a Poor Compass to our Emotions

I recently received as present a book about emotions with dedicated space to write. I was surprised by the range of emotions it covered. I’ve realised I had been oversimplifying my inner world into just a few categories: “I’m happy”, “I am joyful” or “I am angry”.

Before I started meditating, I wasn’t even aware of my emotions or observing them. I was just reacting to the situation based on what I was feeling but somehow, I thought I was reacting based on my thinking process. I used to think my analytical brain was my superpower, but in reality, it was often just a way to avoid the raw message my body was sending.

I could map out 100 possible scenarios, weighing actions, predicting behaviours and analysing everything with logic. But here is the truth: Analysis can be just a sophisticated form of avoiding our raw emotions. While I was busy weighing actions and predicting behaviours, I was missing the data my body was screaming at me. My logic was just an interface, one that prevented me from seeing important information I wasn't even aware of.

We don’t make decisions based on logic, contrary to my own previous beliefs. We make decisions based on emotions, and we justify them with logic. So, we had better understand our emotions before they control our lives. Emotions aren't meant to be explained; they are meant to be felt. They are your body and your past experiences communicating with you.

When we finally stop calculating and start listening, the 'Information' will change. In our minds, an emotion can feel like a storm. On the page, it is just letters on the screen. It becomes a data point you can observe rather than a wave that drowns you against the rocks. When we go deeper and write, the "Information" changes:

· Anger stops being a 'problem to solve' and more a boundary we need to enforce.

Where is the fire coming from? Is there a boundary we need to enforce?

· Fear stops being a 'risk to mitigate' and more a compass pointing toward growth.

If your fear is a compass, where is it telling you to go next? What new ground do we need to explore?

· Shame isn’t a 'flaw to hide,' but a part that needs acceptance.

Which part of your story are you still trying to edit out? How can you accept it as it is? If we want to change, we need to accept the parts as they are.

· Guilt isn’t something to blame yourself infinitely for, it’s an invitation to return to your paths of integrity.

How do you return to your own path of integrity? Is there something more systemic that needs changing in the first place?

· Happiness makes us pay attention to what gives us a sense of presence of feeling alive.

Write about what creates this. Is it nature? Specific people? Be intentional about bringing these into your architecture.

Emotions provide information and motivation. They don’t just "happen" to us; our brains construct them based on past experiences to predict the future. When we close our eyes and listen, we can hear their whisper. Sometimes we should do nothing about them or with them other than listen and accept them as they are.

Today, don’t try to solve the problem. Just write the emotion and explore it. Head over to Grafto to start writing.