Thinking About Feelings
As an INTJ I first think and then I feel (usually). My brain comes first, but over the years I’ve learned that I should consider feelings just as real. My natural instinct is to believe that logic makes more sense than “illogical” feelings and thus is a foundation to be built upon.
But there is a problem. I’ve been watching the Olympics.
Shaun White was talking about how he felt about winning the Gold Medal for a second time and how he couldn’t put words to it. So, because he can’t tell what was going on in his mind, but he could describe what was in his heart in that moment, I would disqualify his experience?
A few years ago I read that ever decision is ultimately a decision based on emotion. The thing is that even if you think it through there must be a “yes” based on some sort of emotion.
Now I realize that some people are such thinkers that they are emotional idiots and don’t think they feel a “yes,” but I’d argue it’s just that they are unaware of it.
So this is really just a call to everyone who thinks feelings are baseless and shallow. While it may be harder to justify moving off a feeling, in many ways it is a more sure truth than one you can explain. In feelings one touches a truth that words are incapable of capturing.
I must admit that people who feel strongly will experience a deep life I can not even fathom with my mind. This is something to embrace, and not look down upon with a prideful mind.
