Normal Human Emotions vs Putrified Human Emotions

Theme song: Only a Lad

I had a great weekend that ended with an anxiety attack.

It wasn't the kind of full-blown panic attack that makes me scout for the nearest hospital in the off-chance I actually am having a heart attack. That hasn't happened to me in many years, thank goodness!

Still, even garden-variety anxiety attacks are unpleasant--at best.

The thing is, I realized with a mix of pride, shame, and wonder--after the thick of the anxiety was past--part of me doesn't believe I should be having anxiety. The reason? Anxiety is an illusion. And not only is at an illusion, it's a putrified illusion.

What do I mean by this?

Fear is a normal human emotion. You need it in the phenomenal world of relative truth so that you'll run from tigers. And such.

In today's world, as so many of us know, we live with way more anxiety than fear. And anxiety is caused by the manufactured world of pretty/not pretty, have/have not, boy/girl, and us/them that society sells us and the people close to us teach us.

Anxiety, as we experience in the everyday world, is real, but it is generated by things that really aren't there, which is why it is an illusion. It is not necessary for me to be anxious about my finances in the same way I might be afraid of deadly spider crawling down my shirt.

Somewhat paradoxically, despite the fact that anxiety is the result of strong illusion, I should feel it because I do. Anxiety, as they say, happens. So, knowing I'm living through an illusion, I wait for the effects to wear off. I get through it.

Importantly, it's nice for me to be kind to myself when go through this because, real or not, anxiety and all the other putrified human emotions are bummers.

Ready for some off-beat, self-helpy fun?

Below you will find a partial list of normal human emotions:

• Fear
• Sorrow
• Anger
• Grief
• Love
• Happiness

Here is a list of matching putrified human emotions:

• Anxiety
• Self-pity
• Hysteria
• Attachment
• Rage
• Depression

Let's play a game. Match the normal human emotion with the putrified human emotion. Post your matches on Facebook and let's see how you do! If that's not your thing, or you disagree with my matches, come up with your own.

{photo credit: Porsche Brosseau}