Emotions

Have you ever felt a warm, bubbly feeling spread all through your chest when someone gives you a big, tight hug. It’s like sunshine is fizzing inside you. Or what about that strange, prickly feeling right behind your eyes just moments before a tear escapes and rolls down your cheek. Sometimes, you might feel a whole flutter of butterflies dancing in your stomach, especially before you have to stand up in front of your class or play in a big game. Their tiny wings tickle you from the inside out. And then there are the other times, when something feels so incredibly unfair that your chest gets hot and tight, and your fists want to squeeze into little balls all on their own. It’s like a whole rainbow of feelings lives inside of you, swirling and changing with every single moment of your day. One minute you might be a bright, sunny yellow, bursting with light, and the next a stormy, thundery gray, rumbling with frustration. Can you imagine a world without all these powerful sensations. A world without laughter or tears, without excitement or even a little bit of anger. It would be pretty quiet and boring, wouldn’t it. Well, you don’t have to imagine it, because I’m always with you, painting your inner world with color. Hello. I am your Emotions, and I'm the superpower that helps you feel your way through the world.

For thousands of years, people have tried to understand me. They knew I was important, but I was also a big mystery. Long, long ago, wise thinkers in ancient Greece sat under shady olive trees and wrote down their ideas about what made people feel happy or afraid, or why a sad song could make them cry. They were like detectives trying to solve the puzzle of the human heart. But their clues were just words and ideas. They couldn’t see me or hold me. Many centuries passed, and people kept guessing and wondering about me. Then, a very curious scientist with a big, bushy beard came along. His name was Charles Darwin. He was famous for studying animals all over the world, but he was also fascinated by me. On November 26th, 1872, he shared a very special book with the world called 'The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.' Inside, he put pictures of people and animals making all sorts of faces. He showed that a smile means happiness and a scowl means anger almost everywhere in the world. He realized that I speak a language that everyone, and even some animals like your pet dog, can understand without ever learning it. It was a huge discovery. About one hundred years later, in the 1960s, another scientist named Paul Ekman wanted to see if this was really true. He was like a feelings explorer. He packed his bags and traveled the globe to faraway places, visiting people who had never seen movies or magazines from other countries. He showed them pictures of faces and asked, “What is this person feeling.”. And guess what. Whether he was in a hot jungle or a snowy mountain, people all recognized the same basic feelings: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust. This proved it. I am a universal language that connects all humans, no matter where they live or what language they speak.

So now you know that I speak a language everyone understands, but you might be wondering, what is my purpose. Why do you need me at all. Think of me as your inner compass. I am always there to help guide you and point you in the right direction. When you feel scared because a big dog is barking loudly, that’s me telling you to be careful and stay safe. Feeling scared can be a powerful protector. When you feel sad because your best friend is moving away, that’s me showing you how much you care about them and how important they are to you. Sadness helps you understand what you value most. Feeling angry when someone is unkind can be me telling you that something is wrong and needs to be changed. And of course, feeling happy when you are playing with your friends or creating a beautiful drawing shows you what brings you joy, so you can do more of it. There are no 'good' or 'bad' emotions. Every single one, from the quietest sigh to the loudest laugh, is a piece of important information just for you. Learning to listen to me helps you understand yourself and connect with others. I am your guide, your protector, and the music to your life's story. By understanding me, you make the world a kinder, more colorful place.