Emotional Awareness: Power, Position, and Perspective

Awareness and Presence
Written By Feel The Flow

Emotions don’t arise in a vacuum.
They often reflect the position we are standing in — internally and relationally — rather than who we fundamentally are.

One helpful lens for noticing this is drawn from Transactional Analysis

Two Relational Positions

diagram of victim, rescuer, persecutor and I'm ok, you're Ok

1. Powerless Positions

(Drama Triangle: Victim, Persecutor, Rescuer)

When we feel powerless, emotions tend to arise from:

  • feeling acted upon

  • feeling responsible for others’ feelings

  • feeling compelled to control, defend, or fix

These positions are protective strategies learned over time.

Common emotional tones here include:

  • contraction

  • urgency

  • blame (outward or inward)

  • emotional reactivity

2. Empowered Position

(“I’m OK — You’re OK”)

When we step into a more empowered, neutral position, emotions arise from:

  • self-responsibility without self-blame

  • curiosity rather than judgment

  • choice rather than compulsion

This is not emotional suppression — it is emotional spaciousness.

Common emotional tones here include:

  • steadiness

  • clarity

  • connection

  • responsiveness rather than reaction

·         Emotional Awareness List (A–Z)

·         Rather than asking “Which emotions do I feel?”,
this list is offered as a map of emotional signals that often reflect where we are standing.

·         Emotions Commonly Associated with Powerlessness

·         (Victim / Persecutor / Rescuer positions)

·         ☐ Agitation
☐ Anger
☐ Anxiety
☐ Confusion
☐ Disappointment
☐ Emotional withdrawal
☐ Fear
☐ Frustration
☐ Grief
☐ Insecurity
☐ Irritation
☐ Over-excitement
☐ Resentment
☐ Sadness
☐ Stress (chronic)
☐ Worry

·         (These emotions often signal a loss of choice, clarity, or internal authority — not weakness.)

·        

·         Emotions Commonly Associated with Empowerment

·         (“I’m OK — You’re OK” position)

·         ☐ Acceptance
☐ Appreciation
☐ Compassion
☐ Courage
☐ Emotional connection
☐ Joy
☐ Kindness
☐ Love
☐ Peace
☐ Trust

·         (These emotions tend to arise when we experience agency, presence, and mutual respect.)

This framework comes alive most clearly through guided, experiential work, which is part of The Way of Flow workshop.

Feel The Flow
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