Hilary’s Reviews > Emotional: The New Thinking About Feelings > Status Update

I’ve come to realize that emotions are incredibly powerful. I never thought that emotions and the body were so connected. Environment (temps, smell) can directly influence our emotions and, consequently, our decision-making processes. And, this book has made me reflect on the nature of education, if we don’t teach children concepts like “shame” and “empathy,” it can lead to mental illness or insanity.

It’s mind-blowing. It tells me that emotions are actually stimuli for me to think and act more “rationally.” Emotions prevent us from acting reflexively (following the brain’s program) and instead prompt us to think effectively, enabling humans to solve more complex situations. Emotions are not obstacles, but rather a product that contributes to better evolution.