Carrying Pain Like a Radio

It was September 26th's reading in Courage to Change that could have easily been a reading the daily reader for Emotions Anonymous.  

How many people also come to Emotions Anonymous the first time, thinking that fear, anger, and jealousy are "bad bad" emotions.  They just want to have relief from feeling them ever again, and hope EA is the answer. 

The words of the Al-anon author could be the same of a long-term EA member who has come to terms with their emotional life, "The program has helped me learn that feelings are neither good nor bad--they are simply a part of who I am."

And that is not all, my therapist made me aware yesterday that anger especially is just a "guidance system." I have always believed my Higher Power gave me the gift of my emotions.  Anger has helped me realize when I need to act, and when I need to reflect quietly before reacting.   Resentment is used as the perfect catalyst for combative action: prayer for the person I resent!  Fear has been my best teacher, because I need to make contact with my HP in order to find the faith to work through it.

I  no longer am so quick to judge emotions as negative, because now I am better equipped to understand my humanness.  "There is no more need to judge or hate myself just because I experience a human feeling."

Today's reminder is something I want my friends in EA to read, and I hope a few may wander by for this final insight from the Al-anon reading: 

"Feelings may not be comfortable, but that doesn't make them bad. With a change of attitude, I have choices about what to do with my feelings. Anything can be used for my good if I allow it. Recognizing this opportunity may take every ounce of imagination I have,  but maybe that's why God gave me imagination to begin with." 

"My feelings are neither right nor wrong but are important by virtue of being mine."

...In All Our Affairs

People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality, their feelings most of all.... People try to hide their pain. But. they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you are letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain. Jim Morrison