This past week the staff and families of Journey Counseling Services took an afternoon off to go to the movie “Inside Out”. The basic premise of the story is about an 11-year-old girl named Riley who moves with her mom and dad from Minnesota to San Francisco. She has a difficult time figuring out how she is supposed to feel about it. The movie focuses on Riley’s emotions – Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust – each of them portrayed by a quirky, animated character.
In the story, Joy works feverishly to sustain happiness and puts boundaries on Riley’s other feelings. When Sadness almost disappears, Joy realizes she is an integral feeling in a balanced life and desperately tries to save her. In the story and in the reflection of my own life, I discovered that perceived negative feelings are what drive me to action. Awareness of our emotions and allowing oneself to experience them can lead to positive, long-term change.
“Inside Out” does an excellent job of reminding us that all of our emotions are necessary for a healthy, balanced journey through life. What feelings are you holding back? What emotions need to be set free so you will be moved to action?
Mary Wheaton
Spiritual Director at Journey Guide Services
(A Division of Journey Counseling Services, LLC)