Emotional Superpowers

I read a beautiful quote once.

"Writers are often given the gift of being spectacularly unhappy so that they can record the full depth of feeling."

On cue, tears sprung into my eyes and my heart swelled like it was bruised. Ooh, that quote struck me deep in my soul because I know the black pit of despair. I know the fierce blindness of rage. I know the white heat of panic, so searing it burns holes in hearts. 

I don't believe that things happen for a reason or that everything is already planned out. It sounds beautiful and reassuring to trust that notion, but I just don't view life that way. I align with the idea that we get to choose our own destiny and shape our own perspective. And while we cannot necessarily decide how we feel, we have the power to choose how we respond to the emotions that arise inside of us. I believe that since I was gifted with deep emotions and mood swings as steep as cliffsides, I must decide what I do with them. And I've always chosen to let them propel me to create. 

I am the most creative version of myself when I feel strong emotions, and you know what is so glorious about that? I'm almost always feeling strong emotions. The moment I feel something powerful, I want to create something. And usually, my art form of choice is words. 

Don't you think there is something remarkable about feeling such a profound range of emotions that they tumble out of you into the shape of artwork? You can paint murals with the most painful pieces of you and change lives with stories inspired by a broken and aching heart. You will earn emotional superpowers when you realize what a gift your feelings are. 

During the darkest parts of life, it's easy to perceive negative emotions as kryptonite because they're agonizing and debilitating. In a moment of heavy anguish, we're tormented with the weight of emotions, so much that the thought of no longer feeling anything at all sounds relieving. But can you imagine how meaningless life would be without emotional pain? To what would we compare feelings of contentment or bliss? How could we experience the highest high of euphoria without an annihilating low? 

If happiness were constant, it would be taken for granted, underappreciated, and feel so normal that it would lose its magnificence. We must plunge downward and feel negative emotions to truly feel gratitude for the positive ones. 

It took me a very long time to feel okay about the fact that I often experience anxiety that challenges me and hurts my heart. I still experience a quick and natural reaction of distress just from thinking of the word anxiety. But I've formed a habit of quickly following that reaction with compassion and kindness toward the uncomfortable emotion. It's okay when negative emotions come to visit. When I acknowledge the uncomfortable visitor with empathy and acceptance, she is often nicer to me in response. And this, my friends, is a superpower that all those who feel strong negative emotions are capable of earning. 

I've unlearned the idea that being emotional makes you weak. On the contrary, being emotional makes you strong when you manage your feelings healthily. When you embrace your emotions, all of them, you open a door of acceptance that leads to compassion, love, and creativity. 

I am so full of emotions, and I love that about me. I've learned to love it because of my choice to start reacting more kindly to painful emotions. We have the power to turn what they call "weaknesses" into superpowers. I've chosen to do so by turning my emotions into words. Who knew that writing out painful feelings on a blank sheet could turn the starkness of paper into a colorful story that others can feel too?

Mental Health Blog Disclaimer

I am not a medical professional, therapist, or mental healthcare professional. The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only, comes from my own personal experiences, and may be read, interpreted, and practiced at your own risk. Do not rely on this information as a substitute to medical advice or treatment from a healthcare professional.