Lessons from The Language of Emotions by Karla McLaren for Impactful Reflective Journaling
I’ve been reflecting deeply on big feelings and emotions and their impact on our lives. It's fascinating yet daunting how these emotions influence our decisions, dreams, relationships, and even our self-identity.
Karla McLaren states, “Without our emotions, we can’t make decisions; we can’t decipher our dreams and visions; we can’t set proper boundaries or behave skillfully in relationships; we can’t identify our hopes or support the hopes of others; and we can’t connect to, or even find, our dearest loves.” This quote encapsulates the essence of why understanding our emotions is not just important, but essential.
The Role of Journaling
For me, journaling has been a sanctuary for introspection and emotional exploration. It’s a space where I pause and contemplate my thoughts and feelings about various aspects of my life. This practice has allowed me to live consciously, rather than just going through the motions. Journaling is more than a diary; it’s a tool for helping me to be more aware and alert to what’s happening in my life.
Discovering The Language of Emotions
My interest in understanding emotions led me to The Language of Emotions by Karla McLaren. I’m surprised I have not heard of it before! This book offers a comprehensive framework for understanding and constructively engaging with our emotions, emphasizing the importance of using our feelings as messengers to what’s really going on inside.
Emotions as Messengers
McLaren argues that emotions are indicators of our true selves, each conveying a message if we are willing to listen. This perspective shifts the paradigm from viewing emotions as hurdles to seeing them as messengers offering insights and healing. The book teaches us to engage with emotions, including the darker ones, and understand their inherent wisdom.
Emotional Engagement
Through The Language of Emotions, McLaren guides readers on how to interact with a range of emotions - from anger and fear to joy and grief. She emphasizes the importance of not repressing or blindly expressing emotions but rather understanding and engaging with them constructively.
Starting a New Relationship with Emotions
One of the most interesting teachings of McLaren's work is the cultivation of a new relationship with our emotions. This involves seeing emotions as essential aspects of our being, each playing a significant role in guiding us towards self-knowledge, control, and peace.
Journaling Prompts for Emotional Clarity
To integrate McLaren’s insights into a practical journaling exercise, here are some prompts to guide you:
Reflect on a Recent Emotion: Describe the context and your feelings. What is this emotion trying to communicate to you?
Explore an Avoided Emotion: Why do you avoid it, and what might be its hidden message?
Dialogue with Your Emotion: Write a letter to your emotion as if it were a friend. What do you want to ask or understand from it?
Embracing Emotional Wisdom
McLaren’s approach teaches us that all emotions are valid and have something to teach us. By fully feeling them and understanding their messages, we unlock a path to healing and growth.
Karla McLaren’s The Language of Emotions redefines how we perceive and interact with our emotions, turning them from feared adversaries into valued allies. Through reflective journaling, inspired by McLaren's teachings, we can begin to understand ourselves better, manage our emotions, and ultimately, live a more fulfilling life. As we learn to listen to our emotions, we discover the wisdom they hold.
Are you struggling with starting to journal or sticking with it? Get my free download “Learn how to journal” where I let you in on my morning journaling ritual.
Please comment below to let me know what you wrote about or learned from this. I would love to hear from you!
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