e·mo·tion [i-moh-shuhn] – noun
1.an affective state of consciousness in which joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or the like, is experienced, as distinguished from cognitive and volitional states of consciousness.
2.any of the feelings of joy, sorrow, fear, hate, love, etc.
3.any strong agitation of the feelings actuated by experiencing love, hate, fear, etc., and usually accompanied by certain physiological changes, as increased heartbeat or respiration, and often overt manifestation, as crying or shaking.
4.an instance of this.
5.something that causes such a reaction: the powerful emotion of a great symphony.
But what really does it mean 'to show emotion'? Who is to define the 'right' emotion for a particular situation or event? Can your displayed emotion ever be wrong?
My best friend is having a baby; her second. Her oldest will be 2 in November. She is only a month so no additional crying will be heard for a while. Well, I will be the baby's god mother. I am very happy and proud to be the god mother but I can feel that my displayed emotion was not suffice to my best friend. What is the 'right' emotion of that of a about-to-be god mother?
One of her friends asked her if I was happy about being the god mother so she mentioned that question. I responded with 'How much emotion should one show about being a god mother?' And then I guessed I messed up when I added 'Should I be really over-the-top happy?' That question was based on many attributes: [1] I was supposed to be the god mother of the first, but due to assumptions, I was not. [2] I am not the god mother yet. The baby is not even born. [3] Me being a god mother is not a big deal. It just seems sort of normal so no estatic emotion is really needed at this point.
I guess an explanation to Number 3 is needed cause I don't want to come across as that five letter b-word... :)
I love my best friend to death. I have helped her in the past and will continue to help her and be there for her as much as needed in the future. I love her son with all of my heart, as well, and will forever be there for him. The same goes to the unborn child, my god child.
However, my friend gave an example using one of her cousins girlfriend. She said that the girl is estatic about her god child. The baby is always with her and she is constantly spoiling the baby. She even said that most people who serve as god parents are extremely happy about being god parents especially if they doesn't have any children. I don't have any children. Long story short.. After my excessive babling of trying to mend the situation, she hung up.. [Not slam the phone down, hung up in my face, but gave an excuse to get off the phone]
So that leads to 'What are the standards for emotions?'
Like I said, it is not like I am not happy. Actually I am really happy. It is just that it is not in my personality to be all gu-gu-ga-ga over anything.. Am I wrong?
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