FEELINGS FOLLOW BEHAVIOUR

#SMED11

It is common knowledge that the way you feel has a direct impact on your behavior. On the other hand, your behavior is also influenced by your feelings. For the purpose of this week’s blog, I have randomly listed behaviours and the impact it has one’s own or the feelings of others:

BEHAVIOUR AND/OR ACTIONS AND THE IMPACT IT HAS ON FEELINGS

- Sticking to a diet and exercise programme: (Confidence)
- Buying flowers/jewelry or taking the one you love on a dinner date:
Love,appreciation, considerate, affectionate)
- Staying up long past bedtime to complete the assignment: (Overjoyed)
- Swearing and being rude towards a customer: (Disappointed / pleased)
- Telling lies to one’s loved one: (Ashamed)
- Over-indulging in food/alchohol: (Depression, guilt, shame)
- Spending too much time ‘with the boys’ :(Guilty, lousy)
- Meeting and getting married within i.e two weeks: (Impulsive)
- Always being on time, always being there for family and friends : (Reliable)
- Methamphetamine abuse by family member:(Helplessness, parental guilt, frustrated)
- Constantly trying to control/manipulate others : (Domineering)
- Saying whatever comes to mind/ not giving a hoot about other people’s
feelings : (Thoughtlessness, guilt)
- ‘Throwing one’s toys out of the cot’ : (Frustrated, fuming)
- Not follow reasonable requests/ instructions: (Frustration, anger)
- Youngsters participating in street drag racing: (Carelessness)
- Youngsters having unprotected sex : (Carelessness, guilty)

- Vehicle behavior : Car easily clocked 140-160km/h on the long stretch : (pride)

- Personnel experience: Son driving vehicle so that Mom can send out tweets :
(Thankful, appreciative)

On a personal note, I have always enjoyed mountain hiking. Not being the fittest in the group , my hiking excursions have mostly been laced with feelings that the mountain had to be ‘conquered’. However, a few years ago whilst participating in a ‘Spirit of the Wild’ mountain climbing programme, these feelings were challenged by a different approach to hiking.

Before setting out on the climb, the leader requested all group members to first request permission and guidance from Nature to enter her territory. Needless to say, after effortlessly reaching the overnight hut, my feelings subsequently changed from ‘conquering’ to admiration, warmth, and touched by Nature’s behaviour in granting us not only permission, but most importantly , giving us strength and endurance to enjoy nature’s splendor.

In the same way that attitudes and behaviours can be changed due to various factors and influences, so too can one's feelings change.