Are You Being Constrained by an Unrecognized Emotion?

We know it’s important to be connected to our feelings. When feelings go underground, they don’t disappear. They operate unconsciously, perhaps contributing to our anxiety or depression — or just a vague sense of discontent. Oftentimes, we can’t put our finger on what’s causing us to feel disconnected, isolated, or less alive. There is one human emotion in particular that often hides out, living in a half-dormant state that reduces our joie de vivre (joy of living) and is prone to being activated when conditions arise that activate it. This is the human emotion of shame. Of all our human emotions, perhaps shame is the most hidden, the most tricky, and the most difficult to work with. Workshop leaders Bret Lyon and Sheila Rubin refer to shame as “a powerful, universal, mysterious emotion” that is “incredibly painful and destructive.” Everyone is prone to experience it. And for many of us — if not most of us — it has had a debilitating effect on our lives.  The best definition of shame that I’ve encountered comes from researcher and author Brene Brown. She defines shame as “The intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging — something we’ve experienced, done, or failed to do makes us unworthy of connection.” It is interesting that Brene Brown connects shame with relationships. Gershen Kaufman makes the same point in Shame: The Power of ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: General Happiness Mental Health and Wellness Psychology Self-Esteem Self-Help Authenticity Confidence Shame Source Type: blogs