Emotional intelligence is the reverse side of rational intelligence, the ability of a person to manage their emotions, understand the feelings and intentions of others, and effectively solve any tasks. This part of human consciousness allows for not only being bright but also prosperous and, last but not least, happy. This helps to cope better with work, find common ground with colleagues, management, and partners, and control their desires and needs. It also helps feel the mood, temperament, intonation, and intentions in communicating with individuals, regardless of the degree of proximity. Even though emotional intelligence is hard to acquire, it is helpful for people to realize their needs truly.
An essential part of emotional intelligence presumes to identify and candidly describe one’s own emotions. Moreover, it is the ability not to be nervous when it comes to engaging in unpleasant situations. Additionally, it allows for tracing the use of emotionally colored language in messages about oneself. People who can articulate their feelings clearly, realize their resources, and can easily solve any conflict without turning to personalities. Spending time with such people turns into high-quality communication and pleasure.
Experiencing euphoria or depression, unreasonable anxiety, or particular worry, a person with a high equalizer understands the current state and what it is called. They can distinguish anger from panic or jealousy, and instant joy from continuous feelings of love. Being aware of one’s feelings, such individuals can distance themselves from others and not plunge into destructive and disembodied thoughts. For example, they will not accept an easy hobby for great love and a curious prospect for the primary goal of life. Based on emotions, these men can set a long-term goal without any mood swings, while unexpected events will not impact the direction of their life. This does not mean a boring life devoid of impressions in which one cannot give in to impulse. Instead, it is a deep knowledge of how to react to specific emotions.
The short story Urgency in Velda Thomas’ book proves that emotional intelligence is hard to obtain yet calming to develop. Having spent five weeks away from home, the storyteller has realized her genuine needs and desires. Sleeping, eating, walking, and staying in pajamas when she wanted to be helped her to shape her inner rhythms – the behavior based on current emotions. Significantly, the narrator paid attention to urgency, which was the most distressing factor pushing people to be rational and forget what they wanted. She stated, “urgency is oppressive,” implying that one should be productive instead of lying in bed regardless of fatigue or any other condition (Thomas, 2021, p. 123). It also means that one’s emotional awareness is tightly connected to the bodily senses. Due to the imbalance between physical and emotional, there is a “lack of connection to what matters most” (Thomas, 2021, p. 124). Therefore, once a person develops emotional intelligence, they realize what they genuinely desire for themselves.
In summary, emotional intelligence is the sum of a person’s skills and abilities to recognize emotions and understand the intentions, motivation, and desires of other people and their own. However, it is not easy to develop because people tend to suppress emotions and act against themselves. Velda Thomas had managed to describe how the sense of urgency ruins once calm. Hence, only by linking knowledge with physical sensations will one turn them on and adjust the emotional apparatus.
Reference
Thomas, V. (2021). Blended: Perspectives on belonging. Stardust Press.