Rollercoasters: Mastering the Ups and Downs of Emotion

What methods do you use to stay in control of your emotions?

“Yippee!”

It may sound like an unusual response to stress, but years ago—while teaching in Minnesota—my team and I would throw our hands in the air and shout “Yippee!” whenever emotions ran high. It was our way of acknowledging the moment, especially when those emotions were negative. Instead of denying frustration or pretending everything was fine, we called it out—with energy and a bit of humor.

Because let’s face it: emotions can feel like a rollercoaster. Fast. Unpredictable. Powerful.

Some people wear their emotions openly; others guard them carefully. Either way, emotions influence how we lead, decide, communicate, and respond. The real growth begins when we learn to recognize what’s happening beneath the surface.

Step One: Name What You’re Feeling

Identifying your emotions is often the hardest part.

In difficult situations, pause and ask yourself:
What am I really feeling right now?

Is it frustration—or disappointment?
Anger—or fear?
Stress—or uncertainty?

This level of awareness unlocks effectiveness. When we understand our emotions, we gain control over how they shape our behavior and decisions. Emotional awareness is not weakness—it’s leadership.

Step Two: Shift Perspective with Gratitude and Hope

Gratitude can feel like a hard sell during tough times. When things are falling apart, being thankful may seem unrealistic. But true growth often happens in moments of stress and pushback.

Gratitude creates clarity.
Hope fuels forward movement.

Whether you’re navigating a health crisis, a professional setback, or a family challenge, hope rewires your thinking. Instead of seeing insurmountable barriers, you begin to spot possibilities. Opportunities often hide inside adversity—if we’re willing to look for them.

Gratitude doesn’t ignore reality. It reframes it.

Step Three: Practice Emotional Agility

Emotional agility means sitting with your feelings instead of running from them.

When life doesn’t go your way, it’s okay to feel angry.
When setbacks occur, it’s okay to feel sad.

Suppressing emotions doesn’t eliminate them—it buries them. Healthy growth requires acknowledgment. When we accept how we feel, we can respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

Emotional agility gives us space between stimulus and response. And in that space, we choose growth.

Reflection Questions

• Can you clearly identify your emotions—and how they influence your behavior?

• How might gratitude and hope reshape your perspective during difficult moments?

• What would change if you allowed yourself to accept your emotions instead of resisting them?

Embrace the Ride

At some point, we all step onto an emotional rollercoaster. The question isn’t whether we’ll experience highs and lows—it’s how we’ll respond when we do.

Those who can identify their emotions, reframe adversity with gratitude and hope, and accept their feelings with agility will navigate life’s twists and turns far more successfully.

So the next time emotions surge, pause. Reflect. Reframe.

Throw your hands in the air if you need to—and just say,

“Yippee.”