"Action seems to follow feeling, but really action and feeling go together; and by regulating the action, which is under the more direct control of the will, we can indirectly regulate the feeling, which is not"
- William James
About this Quote
This quote by William James recommends that our sensations and actions are intertwined. Our feelings can influence our actions, however we can also utilize our will to manage our actions and, in turn, indirectly manage our sensations. This concept recommends that we have the power to manage our feelings by controlling our actions. We can select to act in a manner that is more conducive to our wanted emotional state. For example, if we are feeling down, we can pick to do something that will make us feel better, such as choosing a walk or talking to a buddy. By taking action, we can affect our sensations and create a more positive emotional state.
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