I just read something that elicited a thought: the things we do to feel better, are often in conflict with what it takes to be better.
If you want to feel better, you might stay on the couch, watch tv, and eat snacks all day. Maybe drink. If you want to be better, you might go to the gym.
If you want to feel better you might go outside and run around with your friends or spend all day messing around on facebook, but if you want to be better you might read something informative, study, do homework, or work a little harder in/on your career.
Interestingly though, the more you do to be better, the more you’ll eventually feel better. I would then refer to that as “conflict resolution”, improving your being, exploring your feelings.
This is true/good/thoughtful. As always.
But I just want to say that ice cream makes me feel better.
And feeling better helps me to be better person.
Ergo ice cream makes me a better person.
just sayin’
I think most people would agree that being better is the most logical course of action. Unfortunately we as humans are cursed/blessed with emotions that dictate much of what we do.
If we were Vulcans with uncanny intelligence and zero emotion this would not even be a discussion. For this reason we must mature emotionally so that:
1. We become self aware
2. We develop empowering coping strategies
3. We proactively manage our emotions.
For this reason religion, sports, materials arts, the military, and any craft/skill are important. These outlets provide opportunities to develop the discipline needed to curb your emotions.