The year 2020 was a time of turmoil that left people wondering how they had managed thus far. External challenges such as the U.S. and Iran close to the brink of war, devastating wildfires, a global pandemic, a presidential election, and injustices dividing the nation flooded the streets with protests made living itself a challenge. However, there are internal challenges too, such as the fear of catching covid-19, overwhelming stress of lockdown, and loneliness of quarantine and social distancing that isolates people from the world. Not only is the physical being under attack, but also the emotional self.
Emotional Intelligence is crucial to handling such challenges. It involves clarity and the art of identifying and managing one’s emotions. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is an intriguing subject that has gained popularity in the late 21st century and is considered superior to standard intelligence. Experts like Daniel Goleman, Alan Watts, and Robert Greene have contributed to the study of EQ.
Greene’s latest book, The Laws of Human Nature, begins with a chapter on the law of irrationality. He discusses how we often allow our emotions to affect our thinking, making us lean towards thoughts that soothe our ego. Rational people are aware of this process, and with much effort and practice on introspection, they can subtract their emotions from their actions and decision-making. However, it is not always easy to be aware of what we are feeling and why we are feeling a certain emotion, especially when the emotion is strong, like fear.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how fear can create a pandemic of irrationality. People panicked, leading to a frenzy of toilet paper buying, disputes over mask use, and a rise in deaths of despair. We are all living in fear, and it is crucial to be aware that we are prone to emotional instability and irrational behavior. By becoming aware of our emotions in the moment we are feeling them, we can begin to understand what causes them and why we let them affect us. This is the foundation of emotional intelligence.
To survive these turbulent times with our sanity intact, we must become aware of our emotions, admit when there is a problem, and practice emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence cannot be learned through a guide or to-do list but requires effort and practice through introspection. Emotional intelligence is crucial in our modern society, and we must learn to cultivate it to weather any storm that comes our way.
Sentiments of a Writer 