Excitement can be a false friend or a positive life changer

The Oxford Dictionary defines excitement as “a feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness.” It is synonymous with words like joy, pleasure, thrill, adventure, treat, and delight.

I recently heard a theory where, simply stated, the excitement we feel should/would/could be the guiding force behind our decisions. If we follow the excitement we feel, we will be making correct and positive decisions for our lives.

Sounds easy enough, and I can relate because most major events in my life started with sparks of excitement and possibilities. I like following my own voice, so to speak, even though I often choose the path most traveled, which allows the excitement to settle into logical reality. Initially, the excitement energizes me to at least anticipate and evaluate.

As an application for mental wellness, excitement is an option along with exercise, eating colorful, getting sleep, or taking needed medication. If one is depressed, anxious, worried, sad, or unhappy, the feeling of excitement is likely scant or absent. One solution: find a spark of excitement, follow it, and see where it goes. A tiny glow has the ability to lift us up, fill us with hope, and set us in a forward-thinking mode.

Low moods struggle to survive in an environment of excitement.

only non-negotiable is the action in front of excitement must follow the rule: don’t hurt yourself or someone else.

My point and caution—excitement can also motivate a criminal act such as robbing a bank or killing people. There is also a level of excitement in name-calling and convincing others do what you want done but don’t want to do yourself.

Excitement is a wonderful guiding hand to hold, but it can also lead to dangerous situations. Knowing the difference is challenging. A simplistic example is following a weight loss diet and getting all excited when a neighbor stops by toting a tower of cream cheese frosting oozing between the layers of your favorite carrot cake. That is a poor example of excitement to follow.

Excitement can be a false friend or a positive life changer.

How do we know the difference?

Give it time — Not time to extinguish, but time to clearly see the probable or possible outcomes.

Examine your past and understand when you felt the same excitement, what you did, and how it worked out—build a plus—minus list.

Be sure it is your excitement and not someone else’s. If yours, own it. If not, take more time in step one.

If you can honestly work through the above, then go for it. Give it your all and enjoy the adventure.

Excitement can lead to great outcomes.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.