Positive Emotions & Happiness

In life, sometimes we are faced with circumstances beyond our control. We may fret and fume, yet cannot change what has happened. In the process of trying to do so, we lose our peace of mind. This is where we become our own enemy by multiplying our troubles pondering over the 'why s and how s'. It is here that we should accept the situation as the will of God. What we can do is analyse if we are in any way responsible for the inevitable and become cautious of not repeating similar mistakes in future. We should not allow external forces to disturb our inner peace. Lets check what factors control our positive emotions...

COURAGE (determination, boldness, spirit, gallantry) :-

Having courage is the beginning stage for developing total self-respect. Without courage or determination there would be a tendency for one to become disillusioned or afraid of all unknown factors. Being courageous, boldly going where no one else has gone before brings the survival instinct to the forefront of our personality. Being a survivalist is the preliminary stage of gallantry. Being gallant or brave develops the confidence to persevere. In retrospect to the exercise, if courage is defined as the corrective positive emotion than you can be assured that you must pull up your socks and begin to take control of the situation.

EMPATHY (understanding, comprehension, feel, sensibility) :-

Without courage one cannot be empathic. Therefore to be empathic or to have empathy we must be able to be determined to understand the needs of others as well as our own needs. To feel is incredibly momentous because without the ability to feel it is impossible for anyone to have total faith in themselves. Comprehending the circumstance of others leads you toward the development of trust in others and especially in yourself. Being understanding in negative circumstances that you might have created and admitting your faults enhances the emotion of faith. If you find there is a problem understanding certain situations, you must realize you were the culprit who initiated those problems. If empathy is the corrective outcome then you are trying to understand your present situation.

FAITH (trust, expectation, reliance) :- 

Displaying personal faith requires a great deal of courage and empathy. Understanding yourself creates a trustful environment in which you can expect others to believe in you as well. Having faith in yourself gives the message to others to trust in you. Expectation when used constructively is the beginning stage to changing negative realities into positive realities. Relying on your own strengths and weaknesses produces the internal faith to continue onwards. If faith is the corrective positive emotion then you are trying to trust your inner most feelings and you should listen to the internal messages and follow through with your "gut hunch".

FREEDOM (liberty, independence, immunity) :-

Developing a sense of freedom requires a vast amount of personal faith and courage, but once you do have faith and courage your understanding of all that surrounds you is amplified. Freedom can never be taken lightly, especially when you seek independence; not independence particularly from others but independence from your own limitations. Freedom is the ability to not be afraid to make positive decisions anytime a question arises. To become immune to negative circumstances you must rely on your ability to feel situations with a bold and determined spirit. If freedom is the outcome then you are actively seeking personal control of your present circumstances.

GRATITUDE (thankfulness, acknowledgment, recognition, praise):-

Being able to praise yourself requires freedom or independence from others. Acknowledging you have reached certain goals in your life develops enhanced courage or determination to succeed in other endeavors. You will win the personal recognition you so desire by understanding that your only limitations are the limitations you perceive to be there. Being grateful for what you have accomplished so far will give you the assurance self-respect is just around the corner. If gratitude is the outcome then you are at the stage of your life were you are questioning the emotional gifts that you have already received. Be very careful because you could convince yourself that your decision may be wrong.

HOPE (confidence, belief, assurance, security, desire, aspiration, optimism) :-

Having hope is a result of previous recognition or praise received. Having faith in yourself develops a sense of security. Being courageous and understanding develops stronger confidence. Keeping all of your aspirations in order and not allowing detractors to destroy your determination creates the required optimism which will allow you the pleasures of life. If hope is the corrective outcome then you are ready to accept whatever may come your way as long as you are the one who initiated the circumstance.

JOY (pleasure, happiness, rejoicing, delight, triumph, congratulations, celebration) :-

The thoughts of pleasurable excursions will give you hope and make you be thankful for all your past understandings and determination. To be joyful it is necessary to trust your inner-most feelings. Believing in yourself and others creates happiness and lets you triumph over adversity. Once you have reached the emotion of joy, the next step, that of love can easily be conquered. The ability to accept congratulations or a pat on the back is part of the rejoicing. If joy is the positive emotion then you are preparing to celebrate when your final decision is made.

LOVE (fondness, liking, inclination, regard, admiration, affection, tenderness, devotion) :- 

For after overcoming many of the odds which were placed in your path, you are now striving to express the love for yourself and the love of others through the actions of courage and understanding, faith and hope, freedom and joy. You have been able to be thankful for all you have received. The major purpose of life unfolds once you have mastered the emotion love by learning to care for yourself first. Spending time on your own and loving self becomes refreshing and allows your mind to relax and regenerate. If love is the outcome then it is necessary to look at yourself as being a unique individual who is capable of being on your own and does not have a requirement of having another to fulfill your emotional needs.

PITY(compassion, tenderness, humanity, charity, sympathy, mercy, leniency) :- 

A good majority of people think pity is a negative word since it is normally used to pity or feel sorry for another. Using pity in a negative manner is incorrect. Pity involves showing compassion, being tender and being charitable, having sympathy but not degrading ourselves. Once you achieve the feeling of pity, reaching the ultimate stage of total self-respect becomes easy. Pity is the last emotion which must be overcome to obtain the feeling of self-respect. In recognizing your personal determination to succeed, to learn to live and love yourself, a combination of all the positive emotions particularly pity is necessary. If pity is the outcome then you are near the point of self-realization and intuitively you know that your compassion will defeat any adversary.

RESPECT(self-es- teem, devotion, deference, consideration, honor, respectable, prerogative) :- 

The feeling of self-respect can very rarely be measured in words because respect for self and for others can only be obtained or felt after mastering the ten negative emotions, the nine other positive emotions and pride. Determining if you have achieved self-respect depends on your honesty. Self-respect can be accomplished once you no longer place the blame for your own personal follies on everyone but yourself. If respect is the outcome then you can be assured that any decision which you care to make will be successful and should be made without delay. The only caveat could be a combination negative emotion of hate which will offset your self-respect and cause you to procrastinate.