EMOTIONS and FEELINGS
What do you say when someone asks you “how are you?” Do
you automatically default to the standard response, “I’m fine,”
or “I’m good.” What do you think would happen if you said “I’m
frustrated,” or “I’m confused.” The majority of people will be
taken aback, hesitate and not really want to know why
everything isn’t fine.
In a lot of ways we are conditioned to hide our true selves. We
cover up our real feelings because we don’t want to appear to
be weak or not have it all together. So we grow up ill equipped
at handling difficult situations.
This is a topic that often gets overlooked and doesn’t easily fit
in the scope of sports. It quickly makes people uncomfortable.
We are going to examine it here.
Athletes hold an almost mythic place in the American
landscape. In some instances they are modern day gladiators,
in other disciplines they are the highest form of physical art.
And while they often evoke strong feelings, they are rarely
seen as having emotions that extend beyond extreme
happiness or deep sorrow.
However, upon closer inspection, the emotional well that an
athlete must pull from is much more profound and defined
than these often explored extremes.
Guess what? You can be both aggressive and empathetic just
like you can walk and chew gum at the same time.
The question is, how do you manage your feelings and
emotions? Do you allow yourself to feel the fullness of the
human experience?
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