Rather than just artificial intelligence in this world of technology, or intelligence quotients (IQ) in this world of intelligent people, there exists another horizon that mindful creative psychologists are concerned with, emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is one's ability to use, control, utilize and understand one's emotions.
While most people can acquire high IQ in this world where you are continuously judged and you are anxious about your decisions, it is hard for anyone to maintain a high EI. A research study in psychology and psychiatry might aid in knowing the trick of how to control, utilize and work with your emotions but in fact, mastery over the skill is essential to be able to gain that emotional quotient.
Emotions are as turbulent as the sea, as diverse as the colours of outer space, and as hard to control as an asteroid. Our emotions dominate most of what we do and the decisions we make, which determine our future. EQ olympiads or certain initiatives are not commonplace since it is something not many people are aware of.
The real reason for this is in the underlying fact that most of us consider our physical state to be in control, and not our emotional state. Most people in Bangladesh consider that in the case of such complex emotional or mental states, it is not a counselor or a psychiatrist who can solve the issue.
Putting it another way, doctors prescribe medicines to us and we have the right to choose whether to have them or not. Similarly, it is the therapists who provide us with the help we need and we retain our choice to utilize them. Acquiring this level of emotional intelligence, which dominates not just the interpersonal world but the whole world, is something that should be prioritized by every individual.
In Bangladesh where many health emergencies face neglect in some distant rural communities, improvements in emotional intelligence is a far-sighted future filled with uncertainty. Most precious aspects affecting a person's life influence it indirectly -- just like emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence might not be a demanding skill in a person's early academic life, but in reality, taking a deep glimpse into the future helps us in building strong relationships and in having a psychological insight into every character. It is still one of the most demanding aspects needed in the world of business and innovation. Just to maintain a proper self-image, people are usually more conscious of their physical appearances and more likely to hide away their emotions rather than be aware of them.
Even though most school students have a right to receive counseling services during their early blooming period, the idea of having a school counselor is rare in Bangladesh. It is rather a dream to be able to openly speak to someone trustworthy about our emotions. Contrary to the effort the educational and training institutions are providing to develop IQ, the contribution in the sector of EQ is much lower indeed.
It is time that emotional intelligence, as well as mental health, receives as much attention as the other aspects of a country's development. A country's success lies in vain if the emotions of the people are neglected and if the voice of their hearts are turned down. Thereby we should encourage everyone and every institution to pay attention to emotional intelligence and lead a movement to achieve a selfless successful generation through the revolution of emotional intelligence.
So this year, in this new beginning, why not make a resolution to be emotionally healthy rather than going on a diet? Why not take a step to pay attention to our emotions rather than to be a "perfect" self?
Labiba Tasnim is a student of SFX Greenherald International School.
