Goals and Emotions
Our emotions possess remarkable power as tools to guide us along our path. At times, they may veer us in unforeseen directions. It is crucial to acknowledge and interpret each emotion as a valuable message, providing us with clear signals about our personal journey.
This reminds me of a Rumi poem, "The Guest House."
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-Jelaluddin Rumi, as translated by Coleman Barks
As we move forward, it is essential to maintain the fundamental link between our goals and values. When feelings of resentment, guilt, and boredom start to surface, what messages are these emotions attempting to convey? Regularly tuning in to our emotions while striving towards our goals allows us and our nervous system to delve deeper into the work we are engaged in. It gives us the opportunity to connect on a much deeper level to our goals, making it that much easier to make steady progress on our terms.
Feelings of fear and nervousness can frequently arise within us, yet these fears aren't always negative. Exploring the root of that fear becomes just a part of that goal progress as any other. Is it rooted in the fear of failure? I know many of us deal with this. What about fear of success, which leads us to self-sabotaging behaviors? The fear of judgment keeps our emotions hidden from others. The fear of anticipating something exciting raises our awareness of what will come.
Experiencing waves of emotions throughout your journey toward your goals is completely normal. If you are NOT experiencing a grab-bag of emotions, it may be time for some values realignment. It's natural to feel a mix of fear and excitement, happiness and nostalgia, worry and hope. You are not alone in this. You have never been.
A community of people is here to support you in your goal progression.
Remember: Your emotions are trying to tell you something. Take a moment to LISTEN.
