I have one kid who never gets really mad, but she also never gets really excited. Her pendulum has a small swing. My other daughter can be the giddiest, happiest kid, but beware when her pendulum swings the other way--she can be downright awful. (Speaking of this child, yesterday I asked her to pick up her dirty clothes in her room. She started scrying--that screaming and crying together--and shouted to me that Princesses get whatever they want.)
So, some people have big arcs on their emotional pendulum, while others have small arcs. It's fun to think about when creating characters. Of course emotions aren't two dimensional, and the timing isn't equal like a pendulum, but the theory is that if a person gets really happy, they could get really mad. (As adults I think we try hard to hide the negative side of our arc.)
What do you think?
You are very wise. I totally believe this. My son has a huge swing on his pendulum, but I think it's a little lopsided. He's angry much more than he's happy. I guess it's my job to help him to find more balance. Great Post.
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ReplyDeleteThank you. Good luck with your son. I, too, have a boy with anger issues. He is young and it is getting better, but there were days when I wanted to scream. His emotional pendulum is very interesting. He can be totally completly selfish in a very harmful way and then he can be so tender and loving and charitable. Sometimes his swings make me dizzy.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be fun to write a story where the swing is equal. The people go from happy to mad to giving to selfish . . .
My emotional pendulum swing is huge. Luckily, it does seem to favor the happy side of things. But BEWARE when it swings the other way...
ReplyDeleteI have twins and one emotional pendulum is huge and one is tiny. And they're identical twins. As for my own...well, let's just say I favor one of twins. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis idea is completely fascinating! It makes me think of 'Anne of Green Gables'...
ReplyDeleteOoh. Good thought on Anne. I may need to pick those up again. Truly a great read.
ReplyDeleteLately my arc is smaller than usual . . . maybe that just happens with age or stress. :)
Great post! My pendulum swings wide and fast somedays, but I try to reign it in when I can, at least in public. I have three wide swinging pendulums in my children as well. It is a very great day when it swings to the happy side because we are all giddy and silly. When it swings back (mostly from being overtired or stressed) it is not as much fun, but can still be interesting. At least we all get each other.
ReplyDeleteMy swing is pretty mellow most of the time, until someone pushes it.
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