Reason and Emotion

Some people are thinkers. They base their decisions on reason. Other people are feelers. They base their decisions on emotion.

I am more of a thinker. Reason is primarily what guides my decisions. When we put Chris on the airplane Saturday, Reason told me that it was the right thing to do. Reason knew that Emotion was so unreasonable, so Reason kept Emotion locked away, out of sight.

After saying goodbye, we left the airport and went out to dinner. Then we drove home. Emotion still had not escaped from its captivity, and Reason grew triumphant, thinking it had won the day. But then, as we drove home, I saw out of the corner of my eye the fast-food restaurant where Chris and I had stopped after one of his post-surgery doctor appointments. And for one brief moment, I could feel within me Emotion breaking the chains that had kept it restrained.

Reason was shocked. Reason quickly worked to refasten the shackles that kept Emotion locked away. Reason couldn't understand why Emotion got all worked up over a fast-food restaurant.

Emotion is so unreasonable. Unreasonable, yet true.