Feelings Are Not Facts

Sometimes, we perceive feelings to be facts. But, that is not always the case. Feelings arise from our perception of reality.

Our minds create thoughts, conclusions that we base on our experiences. We can always change the story as we go. Sometimes, we may think negatively. Other times, we may think positively. And still other times, we may think on a neutral standpoint.

You want to be careful about how you think. There are some people who tend to be highly optimistic. But the problem with thinking positively all the time is that you may face certain dangers.

Other times, there are overly pessimistic people who do not know how to escape their negative thinking. These people tend to look at the downside of events. And, they do not know how to achieve a higher state of positive thinking.

The best approach is to balance the positive with the negative. This perception of reality is useful so that you know how to be wary of dangers while still being open to new and fun experiences.

Just because we feel a certain way does not mean that we always have to be that way. It could mean that we are not aligned with our higher principles of truth, love, and power (more about this through Steve Pavlina’s book on Personal Development for Smart People). When we are aligned with these three principles, we are able to function at a higher and more purposeful level.

Remember that feelings are temporary. Character is more solid, and lays out a good foundation for yourself. As Mahatma Gandhi once said:

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.”

So it is best to process your thoughts and feelings by getting yourself into a calm state of being. That is when you can think logically and rationally. It is also when you are able to get into a higher state of enlightenment. That is when you are able to achieve anything your put your mind to.

Feelings arise from our perceptions of reality. Some people may enjoy when it snows, but others might look at it as impeding doom, another day of shoveling or driving carefully on the streets. But you have to realize that events are just events. It only creates meaning if we assign it meaning.

Some ways in which we can process our feelings include the follow:

– Singing
– Dancing
– Writing
– Painting
– Meditating

For more help in processing your feelings, therapy can be useful. You can seek services locally. Or alternatively, you can try self-therapy, journalling out your thoughts and seeing where those thoughts are coming from.