Feelings give us vital information.

If you are angry, hurt, confused, sad, happy; those are all accurate and true states of being. These feelings give us vital information.

When I take my first sip of coffee in the morning, I feel happy. That’s a fact. Here’s the rub, my emotional state of happiness is not caused by the cup of coffee.

My happiness is caused by the positive association that my brain has with coffee. My brain uses my past experiences, my current physical sensations, my anticipated physical response and other information to make meaning out of my coffee experience.

Over time, the meaning that was made is that coffee (especially coffee that I make at home) is a happy or joyous event. Some of my favorite people growing up drank coffee. It was a special treat between me and my mom.

My grandmother always said “coffee makes you pretty”. I’ve never experienced caffeine withdrawal or had a strongly negative physical reaction to coffee.

My brain uses all of this info as a shortcut that allows me to say “coffee makes me happy”. Given all of the wonderful shortcuts that our brain uses to navigate life, I want to invite you to focus for a moment on this one, the power of positive association and meaning making.

Start by noticing when you are feeling joy or a positive emotion. Notice what you feel and when you feel it.

How is it connected to your past experiences?

How are you feeling in your body?

You may just end up feeling—pleasantly surprised.

#cupofcoffee #cupofjoy #positiveassociation #feelings