Interpreting what the Toad actually means when he declares a feeling is sometimes a challenge.

“Momma I am sad” can mean sad but may also mean tired, bored, lonely, anxious or a number of things. We have been working on dissecting and describing the feelings more succinctly so that problem-solving and actions can be more successful. We use an emotion wheel (pictured below) to help us.

In Dare to Lead, Brene Brown makes some distinctions about a few emotions that are often used interchangeably but are actually very different.

Guilt = I did something bad.

Shame = I am bad.

Humiliation – “People believe they deserve their shame; they do not believe they deserve their humiliation.” Donald Klein

Embarrassment – is usually fleeting and does not make you feel isolated or alone.

Having a strong emotion vocabulary is a key life skill that adds to resilience. Being clear with your emotions and listening deeply for others emotions will always stand you in good stead.