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Emotional Stimulation vs. Personal Freedom
28
Jan
Jan
| And why knowing the difference changes everything. |
| When emotions are used as a tactic, how can anyone truly be free to express their authentic self, their viewpoint, or their truth? Short answer: they can’t. Longer answer (and the one we’ll circle back to): freedom requires a strong sense of self, integrity, and character — otherwise known as elite-level “f-off skills.” Not arrogance. Not indifference. Just a grounded knowing of who you are and what you stand for… regardless of what others think, feel, or project onto you. 🧠 Here’s where neuroscience gets interesting. Logic and emotion don’t come from the same part of the brain. Logical reasoning primarily lives in the neocortex Emotions are processed in the limbic system. Wait… what? It means when emotions are activated, your brain is literally firing from a different system than when you’re thinking logically. So can you be both emotional and logical at the same time? Usually? No. At least not in that initial moment. Once emotion is triggered, the switch has already flipped. At that point, you’re not reasoning — you’re reacting. It’s like riding a wave, or hanging on to a bucking bronco, until the energy burns itself out. And here’s the thing: that release isn’t bad. It’s actually healthy. Necessary, even. What matters most is how you weather the storm — and what you do after the emotion dissipates. Once the limbic system calms down and the brain shifts back to the neocortex, something powerful becomes possible: 1. Listening instead of defending. 2. Understanding instead of reacting. 3. Growth instead of repetition. That’s when real conversations happen. That’s when solutions, plans, and blueprints actually work. Trying to “logic” your way through emotional activation? Rarely productive. Sometimes impossible. 🎯 And this is where the tactic comes in. Billions of people are being manipulated every single day by emotional stimulation. * Media uses emotion to divide and push narratives. * Governments use fear and urgency to control behavior. * Companies use emotional triggers to sell things you don’t need. Did you know the lighting in your grocery store’s meat section is intentionally designed to make the meat look fresher and more appealing? Car companies do the same thing — bold colors, high shine, sensory stimulation — all to trigger an emotional “yes” before logic ever gets a vote. Emotions aren’t bad. But they are being used. And when emotions are used to influence behavior — especially in ways that benefit the manipulator more than the person being stimulated — choice, authenticity and freedom disappear. So… what’s to be done? Maybe nothing. Maybe just awareness. Maybe noticing where emotion pulled you into reaction instead of reason. Maybe identifying moments where logic would’ve served you better. Maybe revisiting emotional situations and asking, “What else was present that I couldn’t see at the time?” That’s the work. I’m not here to convince you of anything — just to spark something. To invite you to look beyond your current awareness and explore what’s underneath the emotion once the nervous system settles. I do the same thing — sometimes minutes later, sometimes days, sometimes weeks — once my brain switches back from the limbic system to the neocortex. And every time, there’s growth. Your true self will thank you for it. And the people you love will too. Just remember: emotions may be used as tactics — but you hold the power over whether they control you. Thanks for letting me get this out of my system. My brain is officially confused about which system it wants to fire from… so I’m going to let it default to the reptilian brain and take a nap. 😴 Be well, Brian Blu Room Wellness Center Washington, MO |
