Emotional intelligence doesn't allow feelings to get in the way - it does just the opposite. It restores balance to our thought processes; it prevents emotions from having undue influence over our actions; and it helps us to realize that we might be a certain way for a reason.

[I]t's scary to hear other people express their feelings, because we may have to accept from hard truths about ourselves. And in response, we may feel obliged to take some action - even to change, which is usually the last thing we want to do.

The emotion scientist has a genuine desire to understand and acknowledges that all emotions are information.

When you can understand and name your emotions, something magical happens. The mere fact of acknowledgement creates the ability to shift. When we don't have the words for our feelings, we're not just lacking descriptive flourish. We're lacking authorship of our own lives.

We all experience the same emotions, yet we all hide them from one another. it's weird.