From The Inside Out

The potential shock value of emotional expression is undeniable. If we laugh too loudly or sob for too long then we are going to attract attention.

When how we act is a true reflection of how we feel we may be hoping for sympathy or support. Instead we are likely to attract judgement and criticism. All too often our emotional presentation is seen as evidence of our mental state. But the truth is that what we see is not always what we get.

Fear can shut us down putting us in a state of mind where we are no longer true to ourselves. We can become so obsessed with what others think of us that we fail to check in on what it is that we think of ourselves. Alternatively our need to impress can push us to excess. We can try too hard.

It’s important to understand that it is normal to cry when we are sad and laugh when we are happy. And we need to release those emotions.

Closing down and closing off may work as a short term strategy but it’s not the path to resolution.

What others think of us has value. Far more important, however, is what we think of ourselves. That’s where perception is over-ruled by reality.

Change is possible but only from the inside out.