17 Comments
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Lisa Maier's avatar

I just love your emotions diary process. Thank you for going through the explanation as it applied to your own current situation. It’s very deep.

Going to share one of my favorite poems by Rumi:

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.

— Jellaludin Rumi,

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Karl Dunn's avatar

Love Rumi!

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Transcendent Truth's avatar

Absolutely writing reveals your emotional and subconscious thoughts.

“The purpose of thinking is to let the ideas die instead of us dying.” ~ Alfred North Whitehead

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Anton's avatar

The idea that uncertainty isn’t the problem, but fear of it is is a game-changer. It reframes uncertainty from something to be dreaded into something that holds potential. That shift alone can turn anxiety into opportunity.

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Karl Dunn's avatar

Hi Anton. Nice insight there. I hadn’t thought about it quite like that before.

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Erica Lucast Stonestreet's avatar

"When the rules change, so can we." That really resonated with me today, because I recently had the rules of a friendship change and I've had trouble adjusting. Thanks.

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Karl Dunn's avatar

For sure Erica, we are the most adaptable of creatures. W can always figure out a new way. Glad it helped.

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Siobhan Horsley's avatar

Thankyou for posting this, I appreciate your openness. I have tried the exercise a couple of times and - I had 2 different 'what's' and 'questions' 2 days apart and came back with answers on similar themes, which I found a really helpful insight.

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Karl Dunn's avatar

Great stuff Siobhan, glad it's revealing things for you.

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Susanne Taylor's avatar

I definitely find that the more I am aware of my own emotions - where they are coming from, what triggers them - the better I am at empathizing (not just sympathizing) with others. I also get better at problem solving. It helps me notice patterns, connect them to a situation, and take a close look at whether it's about me - or not. I have an open emotional center (human design) so I tend to pick up other's emotions easily and in turn impact those around me. By being aware of my emotions I can manage this powerful gift so much better!

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Karl Dunn's avatar

Nice one Susanne, and isn't it great to look at your emotions and understand them. They're friends and data for me these days. The pattern recognition is such an eye opener. And you put all that into design is amazing. Words are my clay. I'm always impressed by sculptors, product designers, and architects who put that into physical objects. Amazing.

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We Are Already Here's avatar

Thanks so much for this! Your work is super helpful and super necessary in these times. I published my first Substack piece this week, which is (among other things) about how people tend to respond to times of greater uncertainty with demands for more certainty. Often our refusal to embrace uncertainty contributes to our greater suffering. Please check it out!

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Karl Dunn's avatar

Checked your feed out, you’ve got four pieces out now I think. Drop me a link here of the one you meant mate.

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We Are Already Here's avatar

I think I just forwarded you my post- I only published one post on here so far. Anything else you might have seen was just a note. Thanks for checking it out

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Karen  Harvey's avatar

I’ve just written those 4 steps in my journal. I will follow that structure today and see what happens.

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Karl Dunn's avatar

Nice one Karen.

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Mar 6
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Karl Dunn's avatar

For sure Dove. I’m often surprised at the Emotions Diary refs. I had to look one up one day. Didn’t know what it was. Still not sure where it all comes from, but glad it found me. And remember, wax on, wax off… ;)

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