Tag Archives: human emotions

Emotions, Logic & Breakfast

Strangely I’m stumbling over so many of my own emotions at the moment. After 9 nights, five different abodes my emotions are heightened beyond belief.

Is this an ‘age’ thing? Is it that the planets have been seemingly in disarray of late? Is it simply that with the start of a new year, one during which I feel instinctively many good things will finally eventuate I know what is really driving me?

the rosie project

‘The Rosie Project‘ leapt out of the latest pile of books I quietly brought home from one my local charity shops.  It is an easy read, enlightening, simultaneously funny and yet poignant.  In my mind, it is a brilliant book. I have devoured it.  Laughed out loud on many occasions.  Been touched by the underlying humanity of it.  Gained insights into the mindset of Aspergers. I’ve related to thoughts expressed in it, recognized my own idiosyncratic ways in the emotions the characters express.  It is a book I’d highly recommend. Emotions drive us.  More specifically, they drive me.  When I stop and consciously ignore my emotions, that’s when I make poor, even bad decisions. This book reminded me just how important they are. Graeme Simsion thank you!

Emotions have their own logic

 

Perhaps my favourite line in the book.

 

Talking of emotions in the workplace

join me and the good Dr. Clancy

for breakfast 

January 2017 Event Logo

Dublin: 18th January 2016 

 

places limited. booking advisable.

Venue: Bank of Ireland Enterprise Lounge

Montrose, Dublin.

A Much More Than Words Breakfast Event

 

 

One night, two Poles

Conversations can start up just about anywhere and no better place than at airports.  Recently before flying back from London, as I was having coffee I found myself chatting with a lovely Polish firefighter from Kent on his way home for the New Year. He’d lived in the UK for some 12 years plus and after the topical chit-chat around what Brexit would mean for him, I asked him about his work. The conversation moved on to whilst most of the work was straightforward dealing with relatively minor events, the more dangerous and tragic the incidents he and his crew dealt with, the greater the emotional impact.  I sensed that as with most types of trauma, there is a sense of loss, futility and disappointment which builds up and felt immensely sad that these feelings lingered long afterwards and wondered how these brave firefighters dealt with their emotions. Inevitably and true to stereotype, most men he said, would bottle up their feelings and inevitably something quite trivial would act as a catalyst and ‘boom’ the built up feelings would explode, out of context and often out of control.  Never dealt with.  I felt fortunate to talk with this man, to have had the opportunity of going behind the capable, brave masks people like him have to wear day after day in providing such an invaluable public service. Before we parted company, we went on to talk about the excitement of being with family and friends to celebrate the coming New Year and all that is joyous in life too. A few coffees later as I left for my flight, my resolve to raise awareness of the need to deal with emotions in the workplace was ever stronger. Most certainly, we need to keep pushing this issue to the fore-front, rather than ‘under the carpet’ as it is indeed a bigger conversation, one Much More Than Words will be highlighting in a couple of weeks time and we’d like you to be part of.

Click for details of our January 18th Dublin event, featuring Dr. Annette Clancy as she shares invaluable insights talking on  The organisation as ‘an emotional arena’

The second conversation was a brief one with the Ryanair flight attendant, who provided endless entertainment to weary and extremely unresponsive passengers.  He looked Irish, had a real ‘country’ accent, was both funny and fluent.  Yet something in his accent told me otherwise.  Another Pole !  A Polish man with a big heart, resilient and sense of humour. Welcome and Safe Journey home.  How are you, I asked. With the biggest warmest smile ‘Living the Dream, living the dream’. He made me laugh as we talked, another side of the human roller-coaster of emotions.  Ryanair often get slagged for all sorts of things, but I have to say, not only has their service been consistent, their customer service on a face to face level has become more human, despite it being all too easy to find yourself paying unnecessary surcharges.

So to the two Polish gentlemen, from deep in my heart, I thank you both for making my night.