hope I'm not wasting an NYT gift link here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/15/opinion/emotions-feelings-intelligence.html?unlocked_article_code=1.FE4.bcir.c7_spkpf_gAX&smid=url-share

Here was my comment on the column:

"Great essay. You and your readers might appreciate this poem I wrote a few years ago:

'Emotions evolutionary prize

other animals may indeed have souls

Feelings allow spirits to realize

Goal of elevating on totem poles

Humans to achieve our intended roles

Feelings spiritually guide egos

Persuade others with ethos and pathos

Here’s an oxymoron to consider

EQ incorporates lots of logos

This concludes dizain portion of dinner

Time for an imayo course, of intense EQ

Do not pursue happiness — it and sadness both fleet

Contentment is where you’ll find, serene state of mind

Allow emotions to flow, return there lest blow

Please understand the stoics, don't push feelings down

The word does not reflect roots, Marcus A. rolls eyes

Do not get carried away, yet please deeply feel

If you lava dome feelings, end up like Pompei'

Regarding emotional management, while editing a book a few years ago, I learned of a phrase from a Harvard professor whose name escapes me. She talked about practicing the pause. Don't react to an emotion for 90 seconds because in that 90 seconds you'll be pouring gasoline on the fire. She focused on emotions like anger but I note it applies equally to joy and excitement and other emotions. People make many mistakes when they act too soon out of joy.