What’s My Emoji?
Little boys are encouraged to “suck it up” and not to cry in front of others. Little girls find they can cry to get their way. Big girls too-think speeding and being pulled over by a police officer! When other people laugh, we often laugh too just to fit in. Our society often dictates acceptable emotions.
But what is an emotion? Below are a couple of definitions:
- A mental state that arises spontaneously rather than through conscious effort and is often accompanied by physiological changes; a feeling.
- A strong feeling deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.
If it is spontaneous, why do so many try to hide their emotions? In reality, whether we display our emotions or hide them, they are still a part of us. When we express our feelings, we can then let them go. They are a natural, internal reaction. Instead, when we shove them deep down, they rarely go away. They bubble and percolate until they often explode over. And that reaction is rarely positive! So often we sensor, make judgement upon those who display their true feelings.
Below are a couple definitions of emojis:
- Digital Technology. a small digital picture or pictorial symbol that represents a thing, feeling, concept, etc., used in text messages and other electronic communications and usually part of a standardized set.
- A small digital image or icon used to express an idea, emotion, etc., in electronic communication.
Consider how many people, male and female, include emojis in their correspondence in either an email or text. Rarely do we sensor or make a judgement about these emojis who are expressing a feeling. Angry face, crying face, smiley face-all okay to include digitally-but rarely okay in person. Ever wonder why? I suspect it is because it makes us vulnerable. Others may make judgement. But go back the definition of an emotion-they are natural internal reactions. They should not be suppressed. We are emotional beings. Sure some discretion may be advised but do we really want to go around expressionless?
May you feel free to show your emotions, digitally and upon your face, as you go along your path of life!