Authentic Feelings and Racket Feelings

Feelings are a tool for solving problems. Feelings are experienced and are also expressed. There are four principal feelings: Joy, Sad, Anger, Fear. Experiencing and expressing feelings appropriately is the key. Feelings are classified as Authentic Feelings and Racket Feelings. Authentic Feelings when expressed foster problem solving. Those which do not do so are Racket Feelings. Being sad and expressing sadness for events or occurrences of the past is considered to be an authentic feeling. {I am saddened to know that you lost your pet last week. This is an authentic feeling. When we feel sad or express regret for being late or missing an appointment we express an inappropriate feeling. It is therefore a racket feeling.} Anger is an authentic feeling when expressed in relationship to events in the present. {Saying angrily: Please behave yourself; is expressing an authentic feeling. Saying angrily: You left all the work half done yesterday; is expressing a racket feeling.} Fear is an authentic feeling when it relates to an event or occurrence yet to happen. {Being fearful: I am afraid that we may not win the tender bid; is expressing an authentic feeling. I am afraid traveling by train alone; is expressing a racket feeling.}

Feelings expressed for gaining sympathy of others or for manipulating the environment are also considered to be Racket Feelings.

Awareness follows knowing and awareness brings change. Change occurs effortlessly when it comes through awareness. We may miss out. It is OK. Opportunities for change are coming to hand again and again. Succeeding once opens the doorway for succeeding many times. Thus we succeed in our enterprise of change.

Ajit Karve: taforyouandme@gmail.com