Not All Sweetness and Light
Motivation and emotion. I've just been writing about that - and I think I made myself out as overly sweetness and light.
Mixed emotions. Brigitte Gabriel has written a book, Because They Hate, on why many Muslims are dangerous.
It's not just Muslims. Most of us hate, no matter what our religion or lack of religion. We rage, fume, explode, simmer with anger.
All these emotions are powerful motivations to act - including to act for things we value, cherish, love.
Anything that pulls us, is likely also to be a target for the nastiness inside us.
So if there's something we care about, are passionate about, we're likely to drag along our anger and hate.
Anger - it can be useful. We can explode into action.
We may also want to hurt, humiliate. We may see red - and lose our heads.
I don't have a lot else to say about this right now.
I know that a considerable part of my life journey has been trying to let go of old angers, trying to live with much more of a flow of love.
Not easy.
The main thought: yes, a powerful fuel for taking on many causes is caring.
But it's important to acknowledge that we're complex, such a mix of emotions.
Fear - which may motivate us not to do what we know needs to be done, which may keep us silent when we know we should speak - and which may motivate us to act anyhow.
Shame.
Frustration.
Empathy.
Elation.
And that's it for this short blog.
Except ... if you're wondering, why the photos of kittens, and the poster for a teleseminar series. The answer: that's where I started.
Elsa
July 19, 2012
previous next
Motivation and emotion.
The exploration started here.
Emotion and motivation.
These are at the heart
of our personal journeys
exploring the truth about Islam.
And what is next?
What comes after exploring
motivation and emotion,
the importance of
intrinsic motivation factors
like anger?
Next?
Life keeps happening -
more kittens born, and caring for baby kittens.
|