Beatrice Schultz

One day, no body knows when exactly the emotion happiness was made the star emotion and all other emotions were put in the back and labeled bad or embarrassing or undesirable. 

Ever gone through something difficult or challenging and have some one tell you things will get better or joy will come back in the morning in an attempt to “lift” your spirits? 

Happiness and joy seem to be the only emotions we want to allow ourselves to feel and we vigorously work to either attain happiness and joy or remain in it. 

And in the process suppress anger, hide sadness and ignore the rest. 

ALL emotions are healthy emotions, all emotions are necessary, all emotions are needed for us to maintain a healthy and balanced life. 

There was a time I experienced injustice at my former work place. 

I was absolutely furious, I felt betrayed, I felt ignored and I was slowly becoming bitter; but when asked “How are you?”

I would slap a big smile on my face and say “I’m fine.” 

I had experienced severe forms of racism in the workplace,  but in my mind I thought being fine and slapping on a big smile was going to show them that they hadn’t affected me, that I was being the more “mature person by not confronting them” But boy oh boy had they completely destroyed my world as I knew it. 

Remaining silent about how I truly felt did not help anyone… 

It actually made me see that not acknowledging how you truly feel can alter your personality. 

It took acknowledging what had happened for me to begin to return to myself. 

“We should all be angry. Anger has a long history of bringing about positive change.”

– Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Without anger we would still be in situations that forbade us to live freely. 

It was anger that started revolutions, it was anger that highlighted in justice treatments. 

It was anger that fueled the marches that brought about independence, that brought  changed laws…

It was anger that brought about positive changes.

Whether it be: 

Happiness 

Anger 

Sadness 

Disgust

Fear or

Surprise 

Feel them, acknowledge them, and become aware of the message that your body is trying to give you. 

As I like to tell the little people I teach:

“Express it don’t suppress it” 

All emotions are healthy it’s how we express the emotions that is key. It can either break our relationships or make them stronger.

So instead of venting when something happens first take the time to VET. 

Validate, express and then transform your emotions; then gist away. 

This month of March allow yourself to feel, allow yourself to walk in the freedom of who you are. 

Take time to reflect, take time to be aware of the things you are going through.

You matter, and what you feel matters.

March into the freedom of expression.

Amandla!! Or should I say Womandla! 

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.”

-Ephesians 4:26—