I didn't clock the
EMOTIONAL
until I started working with
East London gangs in 1975.
I had worked with gangs before
Bikers
Drinkers
Factory workers
Young Offenders
but had not connected to my Hard Drive,
that lump of mass in my head,
until the late 70's.
I had brought up as emotionally illiterate.
Emotions were present
but not on the agenda.
(a bit like the present government in the UK).
I never saw my Mother and Father
kiss
until he was dying in hospital
when I was 16.
I didn't know how to manage emotions.
Like most people
I controlled them
sometimes.
BAD
Manage is good
Control is BAD.
I used to have a massive temper.
Flash
and I was spitting fire and brimstone.
In the 70's I discovered Social Deprivation.
A whole collection of factors
to categorise a community
as to their needs/loss/hurts
BUT
The stats did not include Emotional Deprivation
They did not include Spiritual Deprivation.
My realisation THEN
has carried on through my life
and continues to this day.
It is the number one
when it comes to behaviour
broken relationships
broken society.
It hurts
individuals
groups
communities
society
and the world -
if we don't become aware
and competent
and equipped with our life toolbox.
A big part of our wholeness
is becoming
increasingly
emotionally Intelligent.
.
