Manifesting Feelings

I woke up this morning with a smile and feeling of joy emanating from within. As I meditated, the warm feeling radiated like embers.
Love
Contempt
Anger
Jealously
Happiness
Sadness
Fearfulness
Guilt
Peacefulness
Interestingly, the more one tries to control their feelings the less successful they are in controlling them. Therefore, after years of practice, I learned not to control my emotions and allow the feelings to occur spontaneously. It made sense that not being attached to my feelings is a healthy stress-free way of being. I found there are no positive reasons to hang on to an emotion especially if the emotion is anger, angst, worry, hate, fear, etc.

Feelings will come and go. Ebb and flow. I acknowledge my current emotion and accept that happy or sad, it too will pass. I found that to be nonjudgmental helps me release any attachment I may hold. No excuses and no justifications the emotion cover me like a blanket. Sometimes it is light, fuzzy and other times it is warm, cozy and comforting. I snuggle in it's warmth.

Recognizing my feelings connects me with the moment and crystallizes my present state. In other words, my emotions exist to connect me with my present.

Thich Nhat Hanh: What Is Engaged Buddhism?

Being engaged is living fully in each and every moment. What is it about Thich Nhat Hanh's image that makes me smile?

Thank you Wil for your comment and link to further resources on Thich Nhat Hanh.