JUST ASK THE AXIS

And all these emotions of mine keep holding me from, eh,
Giving my life to a rainbow like you… -- Jimi Hendrix


Dear Axis,

I’ve heard you know everything. So maybe you can clear up an argument I’ve been having with a friend. He says that it’s good to feel and express our emotions; I say otherwise. Who’s right?

-- Sicks Anine
Axis:

Well, as with any question like this, it depends who you aks! There are at least two sides to every issue, so it’s best to listen carefully to all differing sides before you adopt your own view. From one perspective, emotions are very good, even negative emotions. The reason is negative emotions (anger, fear, jealousy, hatred, lust, etc.) often motivate us to improve our lives as we often do not act upon these negative emotions directly, but choose to channel them in creative ways. For example, when your fitness trainer tells you to “get mad,” they mean that you should call upon the energy of the emotion of anger by imagining a person or thing that you would love to bust up. Another example: Yogis, Taoists, and other spiritual aspirants have for ages sublimated their sexual energy with sublime results!

That said, for many people negative emotions are very destructive because they do not channel them in socially acceptable and creative ways, but either let them fester or act upon them in ways that are both harmful to them and to others. Sometimes they fester for so long that they ultimately (inevitably?) explode into extreme violence -- either to themselves or others. Not very healthy!

But don't look at me askance when I say that the Axis shall, with that, give himself the Axe!