A Fresh Look at Emotions

Because we believe there is an intelligent design to humans...

Because we believe our brains are a supercomputer for relationships...

Because Daniel Goleman helped us understand the brain has a logical dimension (neocortex) and emotional dimension (limbic system) designed to work together...

Because Sue Johnson encouraged us to see emotions as a language we use to communicate with others...

...we have taken a fresh look at emotions.

For most of our lifetime, emotions were de-valued and considered problematic. They were something that had to be managed and kept in check. Emotions were considered overwhelming, crippling our ability to "think", and thus we were taught that emotions undermined our decision-making.

Today, we see emotions very differently. Emotions help us make better decisions. Emotions help motivate us. Emotions are critical to the things we value most.

So instead of suppressing our emotional side (and the emotions of others), we are embracing them. We are using emotions to communicate more effectively. Emotions are like a beat to a song, and without them, it is very difficult to dance in relationship with another.

Emotions also drive us. We see how critical they are to keep us intrinsically motivated. Suppressing them not only holds us back from the good life, but this is unnatural and actually creates stress for us.

The Intellect Scan has shown us our go-to protective emotions, our natural preference for emotional expression, and our default role when under stress. Because we see this clearly in ourselves, we have been able to mature emotionally and dance more gracefully in relationship.