Category Archives: Emotion

Affliction

Posted on February 21, 2016 by John Swinburn

Does anyone else among the billions of people on this planet share that secret emotion with me, that emotion I cannot adequately describe in words? The emotion is a hybrid between longing and terror; between dispassionate acceptance and vehement denial. It resides somewhere deep inside … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion | 1 Comment

Voices and Memories and Energy

Posted on January 26, 2016 by John Swinburn

The last swallow of coffee is cold but, surprisingly, energizing. I look at my cup and wonder how I could have let that little bit of coffee sit, unattended and unswallowed, for so long. Ah, I know. I was writing … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Family, Friendship, Health, Poetry, Walking | Leave a comment

Cynic

Posted on January 25, 2016 by John Swinburn

It is easy to wrap oneself in the red and blue ribbons around the neck of the winner. Adorning oneself with gold and silver and bronze pennants proclaims superiority on the scale of human accomplishment. But it’s all a show. It’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Emotion, Philosophy | Leave a comment

Millstone

Posted on January 10, 2016 by John Swinburn

But whoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. That—from Matthew 18:6 … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Friendship, Philosophy | 4 Comments

When Loss is Gain

Posted on January 7, 2016 by John Swinburn

The early stages of an exercise routine, coupled with a healthy change in eating habits, give quick results. The results I experienced during the first six days of 2016 are almost too good; if I were to expect the same pace to … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Happiness, Health | 3 Comments

Strengths

Posted on December 17, 2015 by John Swinburn

I’ve written before about the weakness people tend to associate with others, especially men, who do not or cannot control certain emotions. Here, I’m talking about men who tear up, cry, or otherwise react in an “effeminate” manner in circumstances … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Emotion, Empathy | 6 Comments

Lonely Soulmates

Posted on October 10, 2015 by John Swinburn

The world, with all its billions of people, can be a lonely place for people whose ideas and attitudes don’t quite fit the norm. Though there must be someone among all those billions who share quirky ideas and attitudes, it’s hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Friendship, Just Thinking | 2 Comments

Delving into the Dark Side

Posted on September 26, 2015 by John Swinburn

What is it about the dark side—the underbelly—of life I find so compelling?  What magnetism pulls me toward that grey, cold abyss? Why is that deep and dangerous place of which most people speak in hushed tones so irresistible to me? … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Philosophy, Writing | Leave a comment

The Effect of Emotion on Language

Posted on July 10, 2015 by John Swinburn

“My emotions got the best of me.” If that isn’t a ludicrous shifting of blame to an unassailable, non-existent entity, I don’t know what it is. The statement suggests emotions are entirely separate from the person experiencing them. Yet it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Self-discipline | 1 Comment

Steam

Posted on July 8, 2015 by John Swinburn

I admit it. I am intolerant of raw stupidity, stupidity fueled by emotional reactions to issues that require intellect for understanding. Were I more understanding, I might grasp that emotional responses are the only ones available to some people; I … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Empathy, Intellect, Rant | 5 Comments

Hatred

Posted on July 2, 2015 by John Swinburn

One would think writing about hate an easy task, given the abundance of hate on display online, in newspaper articles, in parades, and flowing from the pens of state supreme courts.  But it is not easy, because to write about it … Continue reading →

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Revealing What’s Underneath

Posted on June 3, 2015 by John Swinburn

You may not want to read this. Especially if you’re not on a high note at the moment. Sometimes, I just write stuff that can’t help but ruin a mood. There’s no question, I sometimes write some pretty strange stuff. The scenes … Continue reading →

Posted in Depression, Emotion, Just Thinking, Philosophy, Writing | 3 Comments

Hiding

Posted on May 16, 2015 by John Swinburn

I sat listening to music last night, music that moves me.  And I became angry. I became angry because I felt tears on my cheeks. Those tears reminded me that some people close to me would have laughed at those … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion | 4 Comments