An example of a combination feeling that I have experienced happened on the day of my college graduation. I was very excited and happy that this day had finally arrived I completed my requirements and it felt great.
My graduating class and I have made it to our seats after the procession and the loud music still playing in the background. Before I take my seat I look into the stands and see my family waving and yelling. I even hear my middle sister screaming my name. I see the big smile on my husband's face… saying “we made it.”
I began to feel sad and hurt on the inside along with my happiness. “Why am I feeling this way on my special day?” I try to shake off this sad and hurt feeling but it hits me again this time real hard. I felt the tears build up in my eyes. I search the stands once again. This time looking through blurry vision filled with tears. Someone is missing. My personal cheer leader is missing. Where can he be? Why is he not here?
I’m talking about my dad. He is not there. The man who said “You can achieve anything; just dream!” He has always been there for me at all of my school achievements from childhood on and it seems so strange that he is not in the stands. I can’t find him anywhere.
I asked myself; “why are you feeling this way?” Then I tell myself; “he could not be in the stands cheering for you because passed away six months ago before your graduation.”
As I was sitting there two options came into my head get up and run out or calm down and get my feelings in check. It took me about ten minutes to pull myself together and I did a good job at it. The graduation was a success and all went well. I still missed my dad but through it all I made it.
I had to "listen to and acknowledge my feelings, accept that my feelings were offering me some useful data," and finally I had to "identify my options." Bruno, H.E. (2008). Leading On Purpose: Emotionally Intelligent Early Childhood Administration. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hello Mary,
ReplyDeleteThat's great you graduated and made it so far with the supported of your family. I think this moments are very special moments for everyone. I am sure your dad was looking at you down from heaven and was so proud of you. I think is hard to deal with someone has pass away specially if is one of your parents.
Thanks Karina,
ReplyDeleteIt does hurt especially when it is a parent. This is when you really sit back and wonder did you do all you could to show them that you loved them.
That is why I continue to give hugs to my family, friends, and new people that I meet because the hug that I have given them may be the first or the last that they receive for that day. Giving someone a hug does not cost me anything. It does not hurt to show someone that you care and so many of us need just that; someone to care.