Feelings Are Not Facts.

We live our lives through our emotions or feelings and it is our emotions/feelings that give our lives meaning. What interests or fascinates us, who we love, what angers us, what moves us, what bores us—all of this defines us, gives us the character that establishes who we are.

Feelings are very important for us as we go about our daily activities. They give us information about the world that we live in. They tell us when it is hot or cold, they help us live our lives by knowing what to do and how to look after ourselves.

So feelings are important until we start to live only by our feelings. That can lead us to a selfish and non-caring of other people, type of lifestyle. When we live just on our feelings we exclude others around us who have also got feelings. Respect for others is far less because of this demand inside of us to only gratify our feelings.

Our feelings can become so addictive or habitual that nothing else really matters. We have a craving for something that makes us feel good, which in turn leads to more selfish acts. How often has it happened to you, that you don’t really need a hamburger or something else, but you have this feeling that tells you that you need it and need it now.

The reality is that you have eaten a meal within the last 2 hours so it is not really necessary. When we live on our feelings we are not disciplining our body, so that we do what is best long term. We can end up being obese or with some other health problem, therefore living on our feelings only leads us in a downward direction.

The philosophy of our Western world is ‘that if it feels good do it and if it does not feel good don’t do it’. This is not a good way to go, as it leads us in a direction that is away from what is best. For example when you are angry it might make you feel good at the time to break, smash or abuse someone else’s property or bash up a person; but is that the best thing to do?

There is a universal law that is good to keep in mind by which to test your feelings, is it Good, Better or Best.

When you choose to do what is good or what feels good to you is that the best for others that are involved in the decision your make. When we apply the good–better–best rule in our day today living it allows us to consider how other people are and how my actions and reactions affect their feelings.

In summing up, feelings are not something that happen to us, nor are they irrational in the literal sense of the word—rather, they are conclusions we make about the world; they are strategies for living in it. Fear, anger, love, blame, desire, compassion, remorse—they are all essential to our values, for living a happy, healthy life; as long as we don’t let them rule over us.

Feelings:
      • Are an important part of our basic apparatus for knowing and experiencing the world.
      • Enrich our lives as a source of pleasure and displeasure.
      • Tell us about ourselves, about our potential, discernment and needs.

When we ignore or try to suppress our feelings we:
      • Spend energy to do so.
      • May experience a ‘geyser effect’.
      • Miss out on the inspirational experience those emotions bring us.
      • Miss out on the information emotions can teach us about ourselves.
      • Redirect the emotions into physical anxiety and spiritual distress.
      • Give the emotions control over our behaviour that we may not be aware of.

When we accept and experience our feelings:
      • Our self awareness is amplified.
      • Our life experience is more affluent.
      • We are capable of living more honestly.
      • Problems can be more easily identified and resolved.
      • Our physical, mental and spiritual tensions are relieved or avoided.

Feelings need to be:
      • Identified.
      • Respected.
      • Experienced.
      • Verbalized.
      • Put into perspective.

Have You Been Allowing Your Feelings To Dictate How You Live And How You Act?

Where on the scale below would you say you are right now?
Lowest 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Highest
What would it take to move you one number higher?

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(It is important that you include your answer on the line)

Note from Author.

Now that you have completed this series. How do you feel within yourself? Has it been a good experience for you? If you have you discovered some benefit from this I would like to hear from you. Email: norm@nrgflo.com.au Thank you.

Now that you know a little more of how you control your future through your choices, I hope that you enjoy the rest of your journey as you find fulfilment and your purpose.

Norman Richardson is the youngest of three siblings. His early years were on a farm at Somerset Tasmania. Norman moved to Victoria in 1967 where he met his wife Elizabeth. Now married 41 years with two daughters and 5 grand children.

Norman and Elizabeth have travelled extensively working with hundreds of young people all over the world. The last decade Norman has been employed with an Aboriginal Corporation where he is presently employed. Norman works with disadvantaged young people for which he has an immense passion to see positive change happen.

The story behind this booklet has come from much pondering and seeking answers to the everyday issues that surround us today. Norman and Elizabeth have spent a lot of time seeking the answers for building better relationships. This booklet has been created, based upon their own relationship and the experience they have gained over many years.

Both Norman and Elizabeth have an unswerving faith in God as the main stay of their whole life together.

They are both absolutely convinced that the only way through this difficult time is to have a solid faith in God and be guided by His Devine leading.

Seeing that you can’t write your answer here. I would suggest that you download the word document from the link below.

This would also allow you to add notes about thoughts and feelings that you could review at a later date and see if or how they have changed.

Click to Download as a Word Document.
Note: If you are using Windows 7 and you Click On ‘Open’
you may get this.

Just click on Cancel and the download should continue.