emotional sandbox: (n) an overreaction to external stimuli that points to a deeper and larger issue than the surface one
I more often find myself in the emotional sandbox when I’m lonely or tired. A situation I ordinarily could handle leaves me in tears or wanting to hit something. It’s an overreaction to the circumstance. While the loneliness and weariness are factors in the overreaction, the reality in most cases is that I have a deeper and larger issue needing to be addressed.
For example, when my schedule gets thrown off because of a broken modem, I feel the irritation and frustration build. I’ll have to work elsewhere for the day, which means I’ll probably have to spend money – to inhabit a coffee shop for the day without purchasing anything has always seemed in poor taste. I try to control my emotions and my actions, but the anger is there, just waiting for an opportunity to bubble to the surface, to turn from magma into lava.
If I pause for a moment, I understand that my feelings are out of proportion. Yes, it’s irritating to have a modem fail. No, it’s not the end of the world. The underlying issue is one of control and of wanting my own way.
The way to get out of that particular emotional sandbox is not to ignore the issue but to understand that it’s at work. To free myself of its clutches, I have to make a conscious choice not to mire myself in those feelings and thoughts. I have to focus on what’s better. I have to think of noble, beautiful, honorable things even if I’m peeved with technical support. I have to admit I have a problem so that I can correct my course and aim again toward honoring God and having the same attitude that Jesus had. It’s only then that I don’t dig myself deeper into the sandbox. I get out of it, not because I have the strength to do it but because I surrender myself to the One who does.
Image: ECraig4 (Creative Commons)
Your thoughtful post (as always) makes me think of HALT. Don’t make decisions when you’re feeling Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. It amazes me how our emotions can cripple us intellectually. They really are warning signs to slow down, crawl out of that sandbox, and get reoriented to what matters: the guiding principles in your life.
magriebler HALT is a familiar acronym, too!
Emotions are such fickle things. Kind of like inspiration, I suppose.
And you’re right. When our emotions are raw, it’s definitely time to slow down and reorient.