What I mean when I say differentiation allows you to block out negative emotions is that you prevent yourself from getting emotionally sucked into the other person's emotions, thereby blocking your own emotional involvement, thereby allowing you to more objectively see what is going on and understand what the other person is feeling.
I would phrase it just a bit differently.
I THINK you see it as FIRST you block out the negative emotions to avoid getting sucked into the others emotions and THEN you can stay true to yourself and more objectively see what is going on. I see differentiation the other way around. FIRST you stay true to yourself and see things objectively and THEN who you are is not affected by others' emotions.
So because I know myself I can be around people in deep emotional turmoil AND be able to offer comfort and empathy without getting dragged into their emotion. I think people find that comforting. Kids and strangers seem to see me as approachable and someone they can talk to and I haven't really figured out exactly why. (Just Saturday in the grocery store a Mexican guy approached me to help him read the cough drop packages to find the best one for his wife.)
And now I HAVE to go out and weed and get some sun!! I've got my bikini on so I am ready!!
Have a great Labor Day!!!!!!!!!!!
But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads? ~Albert Camus
