emotions??? feelings???

Have you ever thought about the difference in the meanings of the words emotions and feelings? Most people, when asked to describe how these words are different, are stumped. A common answer is that emotions are stronger and more intense than feelings. Lots of people think the words are interchangeable.

How often do you hear yourself saying, “You make me feel . . .” and the end of the sentence depends on the feeling of the day, the hour, or the minute!

You make me feel like a million dollars.

You make me feel worthless.

You make me feel beautiful and sexy.

You make me so angry! So happy! So sad! So mad! So bad! So glad!

You make me feel like I don’t do anything all day long.

How old were you when you first had the thought that you would love to get off the roller coaster of high feelings and low feelings that you seem to have no control over?
Do you say “I feel” instead of “I think” when expressing a thought?

So what’s difference between your feelings and your thoughts?
Can you choose your feelings? Or are you at the mercy of your feelings? What, if anything, do your thoughts have to do with your feelings?

The relationship between feelings(physical=sensation), emotions and cognition is fascinating and sometimes hard to pinpoint one. We tend to mush them altogether, verbally and experientially. I think of myself as an “intuitive” person who’s perception, emotion and thought process is very quick and hard to pin down. To sit down and actually think purposely about things is hard for me and alien. Needless to say that it can create some difficulties! Oooh- sounds like a good post! Thanks….