An email dialogue between an emotion literacy explorer (ELE) and an emotion literacy advocate (ELA).

ELE: …And there is a lot that goes unsaid in that story, there is so much I have to say, but I can't really think of it right now. I feel like a propane tank that's been thrown onto a bonfire and this writing was a tiny hole. Now that I've released a little bit of pressure, there's a whole lot more that wants to explode out that I never really knew I had within me. I have so much I want to say. I just want to pour it all out over a sheet of paper, like a spilled can of pop, but if I do, I'll sound like I'm whining (see footnote) and that is the LAST thing I want to do.

ELA:There’s that mental construct we’ve inherited…if that story characterizes the kind of writing you’ll do when you’re "whining" then whine away. I’m all ears!!!!!!!!!

At the end of your email to me, you discount emotion—

—-but then, I actually think that you don’t truly discount it because if you truly thought emotions were insignificant and worthless, you’d hardly be thinking of them as something to bow down to (or not)—doesn’t "bowing down" bespeak power?…(not of the ideal sort but some sort anyway?--something more to explore…albeit fickle or ever-changing, ever-flowing, powerful writing has some semblance of emotion in it. The greatest works of art are filled with emotion-—not all people who are emotion-driven are artists but artists who are emotion-driven are mirrors and artists who are conscious of their feelings or who become conscious of their feelings through creative process are beacons (for themselves and others)!!!!!!!! I see tremendous potential in you to be the latter! Interested?

Footnote: According to The American Heritage Dictionary of The English Language, one definition of whining is: "to complain or protest in a childish, annoying fashion."

What’s the difference between "childish" and "child-like"---of course, I highly doubt the term "child-like" would be so readily paired with "annoying." According to these implications, it’s okay to be "child-like" but, obviously not "childish." Does "childish" have anything to do with an adult wanting something he/she cannot have and then whining about it? Further dictionary exploration shows that "child-like" equates with innocence and "childish" is a term of reproach. The first thing that comes to mind here is the style of expression—"child-like" implies a subtle expression, one that radiates from within and "childish" implies an overt expression of disfavor. Does Webster disfavor disfavor?! Do you?!