Emotional Dissonance

People tend to show certain emotions on the outside. But at times, what we project is not the same as what’s happening inside. Sometimes, it’s the complete opposite. Effectively, we’re pretending to feel a certain way even if we don’t. Front-line customer service people do this all of the time. A server in a restaurant would only get tips from a masochist who likes being abused if that server was mean to customers. So, yeah, he/she is going to be nice, even if there’s an internal desire to punch someone.

It doesn’t just have to be related to work. How many times have we asked people how they’re doing, and they say, “I’m great” and put on a smile...but inside, they just want to scream and break windows? A person may go out with someone and pretend to have a good time to spare the other person’s feelings…but is actually completely miserable.

Emotional dissonance, then, is the difference between what’s going on inside and what’s being projected outside. It's a disconnect that continues...clouding Truth.