Dealing with your own and other people’s feelings
When you think of life skills, you typically think of things like cooking or fixing broken objects. These sorts of skills help regulate the environment around you. But skills that help you regulate what's going on inside of you are equally important. In other words, there are skills you can learn to help you manage difficult emotions. Those emotions don't have to stop you from being successful.
Take responsibility
When I was a child, I often accused my brother of making me mad. My mom was quick to correct me. "He can't make you mad," she would say. "He just does things, and you choose how you respond."
Although people sometimes try to provoke us to anger, each of us is responsible for our own reaction. We can choose how we interpret the actions of others and whether we will act on how we feel.
This also applies to other emotions besides anger. Fear, for example, is a common feeling that can sometimes cause trouble. Learning to do things that we're afraid of is an important part of becoming mature.
Language Lab
emotional adj.
relating to emotions
- Mark's friends came to his debut to give him emotional support.
- The child suffers from emotional trauma because of his parents' sudden divorce.
likely to show or express emotion : easily upset, excited, etc.
- The singer got very emotional in his farewell concert while thanking his fans.
emotion n.
a strong feeling (such as love, anger, joy, hate, or fear)
- Connie doesn't show her emotion easily.
regulate v. 管理；控制；為……制訂規章；校準；調整，調節
to set or adjust the amount, degree, or rate of (something) : control
- The humidity and temperature of the lab is carefully regulated.
- The rule is to regulate the price competition between the manufacturers.
regulation n. 規章；規則，規定；條例[C]；管理；調整，調節；校準
an official rule or law that says how something should be done: law
- People demand stronger government regulations for child care institutes.
- Restaurants need to comply with the new sanitary regulations.
provoke v.
to cause the occurrence of (a feeling or action) : to make (something) happen
- The governor's comment provoked negative reactions from many people.
- Richard is always rational and calm; Nothing you say can provoke him.
provocative adj.
causing discussion, thought, argument, etc.
- The boy's provocative behavior got him into fights with other boys at school.
interpret v.
to explain the meaning of (something)
- The girl's silence was interpreted as protest by her patents.
to translate the words that someone is speaking into a different language : to repeat what someone says in a different language than the language originally used
- The president doesn't speak any English, so he had his secretary interpret everything he said.
Info Cloud
topic: in the depths of something
- Since the funeral, Peter has been in the depths of depression.
from the bottom of someone's heart
- From the bottom of my heart, I love you all!
Hello friends, welcome to info cloud. I can’t hope but notice that Rex seems down lately. Is something wrong, Rex?
Oh, thanks for asking. I set high standard for myself and when I don’t reach them, I find myself in the depths of sadness.
Well, let’s talk about your situation in what you just said “in the depths of something” may be talking about your help.
Okay, in the depths of something usually refers to being deep into a negative situation such as depression, trouble or some economic crisis.
The word depth indicates the bottom or a very deep part of something.
For example, the country has been in the depths of an economic recession for many years, thus, it is deeply trapped in that situation.
Another expression that sounds a little similar but has a very different meaning is “from the bottom of someone’s heart”.
People often say this to emphasize they really care about the other person.
So, Rex, from the bottom of my heart, I really care about how you feel right now. Are you feeling any better?
Yes, I am, thank you so much for talking with me and being such a great friend.
No problem. I want you to know I really treasure our friendship from the bottom of my heart.
