He’s back!
One of our neighbors has a crow’s nest in her yard and we often wake up in the morning to a symphony of cawing. A few years ago, we noticed that one of the year’s hatchlings had a rather unique voice. Instead of the clear, energetic “caw” of the regular crow, this one had a sound more like an “awww” with a pronounced nasal resonance. Like it had a bad head cold.
I immediately nicknamed this crow “whiner” because that’s really what it sounded like compared to the other crows.
“Whiner” returns every year in the spring bringing its unique song to our block. His “awww – awww” has been really prominent around our house this week and it reminded me of the article I wrote about him a few years ago.
There is some useful information in that article about releasing negative emotional energy that I want to share with you again…
There is a biological component to our emotions
I began to ponder whining as humans usually encounter it. In babies, the sound is a sign of a need. In small children, it can turn into a request or demand. Depending on its frequency, the sound can become downright annoying.
Whining in adults is rampant – usually accompanied by numerous complaints. Most of us are either annoyed by the whining or contribute to it and have a ‘whinefest’.
There are negatives and positives to whining.
On the negative side, if the frustration turns into bitterness and/or resentment, this can lead to serious consequences. Bitterness and resentment have very low frequencies and vibrations and can easily be planted in the body causing all kinds discomforts and ailments.
There is a biological component to your feelings. For every negative or stressful emotion you feel, your brain and hormonal system releases a surge of chemicals (adrenalin and cortisol) that floods your entire body. These neurochemicals, over time, cause or exacerbate disease and illness. For every strong positive feeling, your brain and hormonal system releases a surge of chemicals that create health and wellbeing.
On the good news side, it only takes ninety seconds for this process: from whatever triggered the emotion; for the hormones to flood the body; and then to be flushed out of the bloodstream.
After ninety seconds we either choose to continue the emotion or release it. This is useful information.
How to use whining to create harmony and health
Used with consciousness and intention, whining can be a helpful sound to use to release frustration.
Whining is one of the body’s innate ways of toning.
Toning is the natural voice of the body and is used to help bring the body back into harmony. Other examples are groaning, sighing, moaning, “ouch” and “ahhhh.” Next time you hurt yourself (presuming this is minor), try not saying “ouch!” It will hurt a lot more.
You can set a specific time limit (like 15 minutes for example) to consciously give voice to a frustration, release it and return to a positive frame of mind. Make sure, though, that anyone around you understands what you are doing.
You can whine in the shower and watch the frustrations go down the drain. Often, when an emotional charge is dissipated, the solution appears.
So the next time a frustration comes up, give yourself ninety seconds. If you choose to hang on to it after that, make a date with yourself in the shower for some constructive whining.