Emotions_aa are_aa so_aa powerful_aa that_aa they_aa can_aa have_aa either_aa
positive_aa or_aa negative_aa effects_aa on_aa everything_aa in_aa life,_aa including_
critical_aa thinking._ Whether_a positive_aa or_aa negative,_aa emotions_aa will_aa
cloud_ your_ judgement_ and_ prevent_ you_ from_ digging _aa
deeper_ into_ the_ topic_a at_aa hand,_ getting_ to_ the_a cause _aa
or_ solution_ of_ the_ issue.When_ I_ think_ through_ a _aa
problem,_aa searching_aa for_a a_aa solution,_aa I_aa always_aa write_aa my_aa
initial_aa reaction_aa down_aa on_aa paper.This_aa initial_aa response_aa is_aa
emotion._aa Now_aa I_aa have_aa to_aa use_aa reason_aa to_aa balance_aa this_aa
out_aa to_aa make_aa it_aa logical_aa and_aa unbiased._a For_aa instance,_aa a_aa
statement_aa such_aa as_aa `this_aa sucks`_ could_aa be_aa balanced_aa out_aa
with_aa `why_aa does_aa this_aa suck?_aa How_aa can_aa I_aa fix_aa this?`._aa
Communication_aa is_ key_ to _aa everything_ we_ do_a successfully _aa
each_aa day._aa Effective_aa communicators_aa are_aa better_aa at_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa because_aa they_aa are_a already_aa thinking_ ahead_aa and_aa they_aa
know_aa the_aa key_aa elements_aa of_aa communication;_aa clarity,_aa credibility,_aa
relevance,_aa completeness,_aa and_aa soundness._aa They_aa will_aa use_aa these_aa
elements_aa to_aa present_aa and_aa support_aa their_aa ideas_aa and_aa arguments_aa
.This_aa week_aa I_aa found_aa the_aa different_aa communication_aa types_aa
intriguing._aa I_aa still_aa don't_a completely_aa agree_aa with_aa the_aa outcome_aa
of_aa my_aa self-evaluation,_aa but_aa I_aa can_aa see_aa logic_aa in_aa the_aa
result._aa I_aa have_aa to_aa admit_aa at_aa first_aa I_aa agreed_aa with_aa the_aa
western_ culture;_ I_a believed_ to_ achieve_ the_ best_ logic _aa
you_aa must_ take_aa emotion_ out_ of_aa the_aa equation._aa However, _aa
this_aa reading_aa helped_aa me_aa realize_aa while_aa yes,_aa negative_aa emotions_aa
can_ be_ a_ barrier,_a positive_ ones_ can_ actually_a enhance _aa
the_aa critical_aa thinking_aa process._aa Without_aa positive_aa emotions_aa it_aa
can_aa lead_aa to_aa heartless_aa decisions_aa that_a logically_aa give_aa better_aa
results_aa but_aa in_ the_aa end_ is_aa not_ necessarily_aa the_aa best_aa
choice._aa For_aa example,_ the_ world_aa is_aa overly_ populated_aa so _aa
logically_aa we_aa could_aa kill_aa off_aa people_aa but_aa that_aa is_aa obviously_aa
a_aa horrible_aa choice_aa and_aa even_aa though_aa it_aa would_aa give_aa is_aa
a_aa better_aa chance_a to _aa survive _aa it _aa would _aa emotionally _aa hurt _aa
society_aa beyond_aa repair._aa Balance_aa is_aa key_aa in_ making _aa the _aa
decisions._aa In_aa my_aa professional_aa life_aa I_aa have_aa to_aa use_aa critical_aa
thinking_ while _aa also_ having_ empathy_ for_ my_ customers. _aa
Working_aa at_aa a_aa call_aa center_aa makes_aa my_aa job_aa centered_aa
around_aa communication._aa Communicating_aa with_aa my_aa customers_aa is_aa
the_aa only_aa way_aa I_aa can_aa discover_aa the_aa problem_aa and_aa critically_aa
think_ to_ find_ a_ resolution. _aa Communication_ helps_ move _aa
critical_aa thinking_aa forward._aa I_ found_aa it_aa so_aa interesting_aa how_aa
the_aa western_ culture_aa and_aa Chinese_ culture_aa have_aa such_aa different_aa
views_aa on_aa critical_aa thinking._aa and_ decide_aa certain_aa things_aa based_
on_aa how_aa I_a feel, _aa whether_ I_ like_a it_ or _aa not._aa Now, _aa
they_aa can_aa also_aa influence_aa us_aa negatively._aa If_aa I_aa am_aa mad,_aa
angry,_ or_ sad,_ my_ human_ instinct_ will_ act_ on_ it _aa
and_aa make_aa poor_aa choices._aa It_aa can_aa cloud_aa our_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa and_ influence_aa us_aa to_aa leave_aa reasoning_aa aside.
If_aa I_aa am_aa being_aa honest,_aa I_aa am_aa still_a learning_ how_aa to_aa
balance_aa emotion_aa and_aa reasoning._aa It_aa doesn't_aa sound_ hard_aa to_aa
do,_aa but_aa I_aa feel_aa like_ in_aa my_aa life_aa and_aa how_aa I_aa live_
and_aa with_aa the_aa people_a I_aa am_aa around_aa with,_aa its_aa tough._aa
But_aa the_a way_aa I_aa try_a to_ balance_aa emotion_aa and_aa reasoning_aa
is_aa by_aa writing_aa my_aa emotions_aa down_aa in_a paper._aa I_ like_aa
to_aa do_aa this_aa when_aa I_aa am_a mad,_aa sad,_aa or_aa angry._aa Because_aa
I_aa have_aa noticed_a this_aa helps_ me_a get_ my_ emotions _a out _aa
of_aa the_aa way_aa and_aa let_aa reasoning_aa take_aa over_aa when_aa I_aa
make_aa a_aa decision._aa There_aa are _aa times_aa when_ emotions_ rule _aa
over_aa reasoning,_aa I'm_aa not_aa going_aa to_aa lie_ about_aa that._aa But_aa
that_aa is_aa how_aa I_aa balance_aa emotion_aa and_aa reasoning_aa when_aa
making_ huge_ decisions._ I_ like_ to_ look_a at_ all_ the _aa
factors,_ of_ why_a I_a am_a feeling_ this_ way_ and_ what _aa
is_aa it_ that_aa I_aa need_aa to_aa do_aa that_aa is_ best._aa The_aa role_aa
of_aa communication_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa very_aa important._aa
This_aa is_ how_aa we_aa know_aa what_aa the_a other_aa person_aa wants,_a
or_aa how_aa we_aa communicate_aa what_aa we_aa want._aa An_aa example_aa
of_aa a_aa time_aa when_aa communication_aa influenced_aa my_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa was_aa when_aa I_aa was_aa struggling_aa to_aa ask_aa for_aa a_
raise_aa at_aa my_aa job._aa I_aa kept_aa thinking_aa and_aa making_aa a_aa
list_aa of_aa the_aa reasons_aa why_aa I_aa thought_aa I_aa deserved_aa it._aa I_aa
had_aa been_aa working_aa there_ for_ a_a while_aa now_aa and_ I've _aa
done_aa every_aa task_aa and_aa assignment_aa given_aa to_aa me_aa without_aa
any_aa questions_aa or_aa hesitations._aa I_aa thought_aa about_aa it_aa for_aa
quite_aa some_aa months_ struggling _aa with_ my_ inner _aa self _aa on _aa
how_aa to_a come_aa about_aa and_aa ask._aa I_aa like_aa to_ think_aa of_aa
myself_aa as_aa an_aa assertive_aa communicator._aa So_aa I_aa went_aa to_aa
my_aa boss_aa and_aa told_aa her_a asked_aa her_aa about_aa my_aa raise._aa
I_aa clearly_ laid_ out _aa all_ of _aa my_ thoughts_ and _aa needs _aa
respectfully_aa and_aa willing_aa to_ accept _aa whatever _aa decision _aa she _aa
made._aa She_aa liked_aa that_aa fact_aa that_aa I_aa was_aa able_aa to_aa
communicate_ my_ needs_ to_ her_ and_ she_ valued_ me _aa
coming_aa to_aa her_aa in_aa person_aa to_aa talk_ about_a it._aa I_aa ended_
up_aa getting_aa my_aa raise._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa is_ not_aa an_aa absence_aa
of_aa emotion,_aa but_aa rather_aa we_aa use_aa our_aa emotions_aa to_ help_aa
us_ in_ this_ process._ Plato_ said_ that_ we _aa need_ both _aa
emotion_aa and_aa reason_aa to_aa enhance_aa the_aa critical_aa thinking_aa
process._aa Both_aa emotion_aa and_aa reason_aa serve_aa a_aa purpose_aa in_aa
helping_aa us_aa in_aa making_aa decisions._aa As_aa explored_aa in_aa the_aa
video,_aa emotion_a and_aa reason_aa can_aa enhance_aa the_aa decision-making_aa
process._aa On_aa the_aa one_ hand,_aa if_aa excessive,_aa each_aa can_aa lead_aa
us_aa to_aa poor_aa decisions._aa On_aa the_a other_aa hand,_aa each _a can _a
act_aa in_aa a_aa way_aa to_aa enlighten,_aa inform,_ and_aa enhance_aa our_aa
use_aa of_aa the_aa other._aa Life_ experiences,_aa which_aa create_aa emotions,_aa
can_aa affect_aa both_aa positively_aa and_aa negatively_aa influence_aa on_aa
your_aa ability_aa to_aa think_aa critically._aa Before_aa I_aa read_aa the_aa
chapter_aa for_aa this_aa week’s_aa discussion,_aa I_aa would_a have_aa stood_aa
behind_aa my_aa thoughts_aa that_aa taking_aa emotion_a out_aa of_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa was_aa necessary._aa The_aa idea_aa that_aa t_aa one_aa should_aa
think_aa with_aa reason_aa and_aa not_aa emotion_aa was_aa my_aa thought_aa
process._aa However,_aa I_aa now_aa understand_aa that_aa having_aa emotion_aa
behind_ decisions_ can_ positively_ and_ negatively_ influence _aa
making_aa critical_aa decisions._ If_ you _aa have _aa past _aa experiences _aa
with_aa something_aa you_aa need_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa decision_aa about_aa
then_aa that_aa emotion_aa can_aa help_aa you_aa make_aa a_aa more_aa reasonable_aa
or_a sound_ decision._ As_ you_aa know_a from_aa that_aa experience _aa
what_aa the_aa affects_aa can_aa have_aa on_aa people_aa or_a society._aa But_aa
in_aa turn_aa that_aa is_ also_aa the_aa reason_aa thinking_aa with_aa emotion_a
can_aa have_aa a_aa negative_aa affect_aa as_aa well._aa Being_aa able_aa to_aa
decipher_aa the_aa good_ and_aa bad_ is_ what_aa helps_a with_aa critical_aa
thinking.Being_ able_ to_ balance_ emotion_ and_ reasoning_ is _aa
probably_aa the_ biggest_aa struggle_aa that_aa I_aa personally_aa have_a with_aa
critical_a thinking._ I_ tend_aa to_aa try_a to_aa take_ emotion_a out _aa
of_aa major_aa decision_aa making_aa because_aa I_aa am_aa more_aa of_aa an_aa
emotional_aa thinker_aa and_aa reactor_aa than_aa I_aa am_aa logic._aa For_aa
instance,_aa when_aa my_aa grandfather_aa was_aa ill_ last _aa year _aa at _aa
Thanksgiving_aa and_aa was_aa put_aa on_aa life_aa support._aa I_aa was_aa the_aa
one_a that_a stayed_ at_a the_aa hospital_aa with_aa him_aa the_a night _aa
he_aa passed_aa because_aa I_aa wanted_aa my_aa grandmother_aa to _ get _aa
some_aa rest._ The_aa hospital_aa staff_aa and_a my_ grandmother_aa knew_a
he_aa was_aa dying_aa as_aa this_a was_aa discussed_aa before_aa I_aa got_aa
there._aa As_aa I_aa laid_aa there_aa watching_aa his_aa last_a moments,_aa I_aa
was_aa fighting_aa with_aa the_aa staff_ to_aa feed_aa him,_aa take_aa him_aa
off_aa the_aa sedation_aa medication_aa and_aa save_aa him._aa However,_aa his_aa
wishes_aa were_aa opposite_aa of_aa my_aa emotion_aa and_aa he_aa made_aa
certain_aa to_aa let_aa the_ staff_aa and_ my_aa grandmother_aa know_aa he_
did_aa not_aa want_aa to_aa be_aa resuscitated._aa My_aa emotions_aa were_aa
high,_aa and_ I_aa wasn’t_aa granting_ him_aa his_aa wishes._aa I_ didn’t_aa
understand_aa the_aa staff_aa were_aa following_aa protocol._aa Once_aa I_aa took_a
my_ (selfish) _aa emotions _aa out_ of _aa it _aa I _aa understood _aa their _aa
stance.Communication_aa must_aa be_ effective_a when_a it _ comes _aa to _aa
critical_ thinking _aa and_ the_ ability_ to _aa get_ your _aa position _aa
on_ the_ subject_ across_ to_ others._ Being_ able_ to _a
communicate_aa well_aa with_aa facts_aa and_ rationale_aa as_aa to_aa why_aa
you_aa made_aa the_aa decision_aa you_aa made_aa is_aa what_aa makes_aa
others_aa understand_aa your_aa stance_aa and_aa judgement.Reflecting_aa on_aa
the_aa learning_aa activities_aa and_aa reading_aa there_aa is_aa a_aa lot_ that_a
makes_aa more_aa sense _aa to _aa me, _aa but_ I _aa am _aa still_aa struggling _aa
with_aa understanding_aa how_aa to_aa balance_aa the_aa emotion_aa and_aa
reasoning._ I_ would_ like_ to_ have_ more_ activities_ or _aa
exercises_aa that_aa can_aa help_a mold_a that_aa thought_aa process_aa going_aa
forward_aa in_aa life._ How_aa do_aa we_aa train_aa our_aa brains_aa to_aa
think_aa logically_aa but_aa still_aa include_aa emotion_aa without_aa letting_aa
the_a affects_a of_ emotion_ take_aa over_aa our_ logic?_ Especially _
when_aa naturally_aa a_aa person_aa is_aa an_aa emotional_aa thinker._aa Critical_a
thinking_a is_ affected_a by_ a_ person’s_ positive_ or_a negative _aa
emotions._aa If_aa a_aa person_aa views_aa the_aa world_a through_aa a_aa
positive_aa lens,_a they_aa are_aa more_aa likely_a to_aa see_a a_aa positive_aa
solution._aa If_aa an_ individual_aa were_aa to_aa find_aa themselves_aa in_aa
a_aa difficult_aa situation,_aa they_aa have_aa two_aa options:_aa either_aa try_aa
and_aa figure_aa out_aa a_aa solution_aa to_aa better_aa themselves,_aa or_aa have_aa
a_aa negative_aa thought_aa process,_aa whereby_aa leaving_aa them_aa in_aa the_aa
same_aa difficult_aa situation_aa without_aa any_aa solutions._ Often,_aa successful_aa
individuals_aa use_aa their_aa positive_aa mindset_aa to_aa obtain_ their_aa goals,_a
creating_aa large_aa businesses.
As_aa a_aa Police_aa Officer,_aa emotion_aa and_aa critical_aa thinking_aa often_aa
need_ to_ be _aa separated._ An_ officer _aa in_ a_ dangerous _aa
situation_aa must_aa rely_aa on_aa sharp_aa critical_aa thinking_aa to_ ensure_aa
the_aa safety_aa of_ themselves_aa as_aa well_aa as_aa others._aa If_aa emotions_aa
were_aa to_aa run_aa high,_aa an_aa unintended_aa or_aa potentially_aa harmful_aa
outcome_aa is_a likely._aa Separating_aa fear_aa and_a anger_aa from_aa positive,_
resolute_aa thinking_aa is_aa essential._aa Overreacting_aa due_aa to_aa fear_aa
can_aa be_aa dangerous._aa Debriefing_aa after_aa any_aa event_aa allows_ the_aa
officer_aa to_aa sort_aa through_aa his_aa or_aa her_aa emotions_aa to_aa ensure_aa
that_aa the_aa best_aa outcome_aa occurs_aa the_aa next_aa time_aa they_aa are_
in_aa a_aa similar_aa situation.As_aa humans,_aa we_aa are_aa programmed_aa to_
be_aa receptive_aa to_aa tone._aa How_aa we_aa inflect_aa certain_aa words_aa
can_aa tell_aa other_aa individuals_aa how_aa we_aa are_aa feeling._aa A_aa
louder_aa voice_aa may_aa indicate_aa that_aa we_aa are_aa angry,_aa while_aa a_aa
softer,_aa quieter_ tone_aa may_a indicate_aa fear_aa or_aa shyness._aa When_aa
conducting_ a_ traffic_ stop,_ a_a police_ officer_ often_ uses _aa
context_aa clues,_ such_aa as_aa tone_a or_aa language_aa to_aa gauge_aa an_aa
individual._aa Does_a the_aa individual_aa seem_aa quiet_aa and_aa shy?_aa Are_aa
they_aa using_aa an_aa angry_ tone?_aa The_aa officer_aa must_aa also_aa use_aa
an_aa even_aa tone_aa to_aa ensure_aa their_aa safety._aa The_aa officer_ should_
not_aa seem_ angry_aa or_aa present_aa with_ an_aa authoritative_aa demeanor_aa
to_aa intimidate_aa an_ individual.I_aa sincerely_aa enjoyed_aa the_aa Style_aa
Communication_aa Questionnaire._aa I_aa am_aa happy_aa that_aa I_aa was_aa
able_aa to_aa open_ my_aa mind_aa to_aa the_aa diffract_aa styles_aa of_aa
communication_aa and_aa realize_aa what_aa I_ needed_aa to_a work_aa on _aa
as_aa an_aa individual._aa I_aa am_aa happy_aa that_aa I_aa found_ out_aa
what_a my_ style_a of_ communication _aa is,_a and_a I_ will_aa be _
happy_aa to_aa apply_ it_aa to_aa my_aa career._aa Emotions_a can_aa really_
be_aa tricky_aa sometimes._aa When_aa dealing_aa with_aa certain_aa situations._aa
I_aa had_aa to_aa deal_aa with_aa an_aa issue_aa with_a a_aa family_aa before_aa
I_aa went_ to_ work. _aa Words_a were_ exchanged _aa that _aa should _aa
have_aa never_aa been._aa Family_aa always_aa knows_aa the_aa right_aa words_aa
to_a say_ to_ hurt_aa you._ The_aa words_aa we_aa exchanged_aa hurt _
my_aa feelings_aa so_aa bad._aa I_aa wasn't_aa to_aa think_ or_aa focus_aa on_aa
work._aa But_aa when_aa I_ am_aa happy_aa work_aa be_ the_aa only_aa
thing_aa I_aa focus_aa on._aa If_aa you_aa think_aa positive._aa You_aa will_aa
have_aa a_aa positive_aa outcome._ I_aa balance_aa my_aa emotions_aa every_aa
time_ I _aa do_aa my_aa school _aa work_aa and_aa go _aa to_aa work._aa I _aa
try_aa my_ best_aa to _ leave _ my _aa problems _aa at _ home. _ I _aa
want_aa to_aa be_aa positive._aa A_ positive_aa mindset_aa can_aa help_aa keep_aa
you_aa on_aa track._aa It_aa allows_aa me_aa to_ focus._aa By_aa doing_aa
that_aa I_ will_aa continue_aa to_aa do_aa good _ in _aa school _aa and _aa
work.I_aa am_aa an_aa assertive_aa communicator._aa I_aa tell_aa what_ I_aa
need_aa clearly_aa and_aa respectfully._aa I_aa like_ to_aa get_aa my_aa point_aa
across_aa without_aa being_aa disrespectful._aa In_aa a_aa work_aa environment._aa
You_aa always_aa want_aa to_aa speak_aa clearly_aa and_aa not_aa come_aa off_aa
ass_aa having_aa an_aa attitude._aa Now_aa your_aa co-worker_aa can't_aa focus_aa
on_aa what_aa you_aa need_ them_aa to_aa do._aa All_aa they_aa can_aa focus_aa
on_aa is_aa your_ attitude. _aa Which_aa will_aa affect_a both_a of_aa you _aa
working_ together_ that_ day._ Either_ not_ going_ to_ do _aa
what_aa you_ need_aa them_aa to_aa do_aa or_aa not_aa doing_ it_aa right._
Positive_aa attitude_aa make_aa it_aa easier_aa to_aa focus_aa and_aa to_aa get_aa
the_a job_aa done.The_aa skills _aa I_aa learned_aa will_aa help_ me_aa on _aa
how_aa to_aa respond_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa questions_aa during_aa an_aa
interview_aa and_aa my_aa interaction_aa with_aa co-workers._aa I_aa learned_aa
that_aa my_aa emotions_aa can_aa either_a make_aa or_aa break_aa me._aa It's_aa
always_aa best_aa to_aa be_aa at_aa positive_aa mindset._aa Doing_ so_aa will_aa
allow_a you_ think_ clearly_aa and _ do _aa whatever _ it _a is _a that _aa
you_aa have_aa to_aa do_aa correctly._aa I_ believe_aa emotions_aa drastically_aa
influence_aa your_aa thinking._aa Being_aa to_ negative_aa about_aa something_aa
will_aa definitely_aa change_aa your_aa thought_aa process_aa and_aa cause_aa
you_aa to_aa make_aa hasty_aa decisions._aa But_aa also_aa being_aa to_aa
positive_aa about_aa something_ will_a cause_aa you_a to_ perhaps_aa make_aa
decisions_aa free_aa willingly_aa and_aa for_aa not_ the_aa right_aa reason._aa
Being_aa able_aa to_aa put_aa your_aa emotions_aa aside_aa when_aa making_aa
a_aa decision_aa is_aa not_aa an_aa easy_aa thing_aa to_aa do._aa When_aa
deciding_aa you_aa must_aa try_aa and_aa think_aa of_aa how_aa to_aa balance_aa
the_ positive_a and_ negative._a Me_ personally_ I_ will_ stop _aa
and_aa think_aa before_aa making_aa a_a drastic_aa decision,_aa being_aa able_aa
to_a is_aa one_aa of _ my_ better_aa traits. _aa I _aa can _aa almost _aa all _aa
the_aa time_aa be_aa able_aa to_ make_aa sound_aa decisions._aa For_aa instance_aa
at_aa my_aa job_aa I_aa will_aa have_aa to_aa take_aa over_aa as_aa the_aa
Team_aa Lead_aa when_aa my_aa lead_aa is_aa off,_aa and_aa with_aa this_aa I_aa
must_aa maintain_aa a_aa certain_aa professionalism_aa and_aa fairness_aa to_a
my_aa colleagues._aa Communication_aa plays_aa a_aa huge_aa role_aa in_aa
critical_aa thinking_aa and_aa decision_aa making._aa When_aa trying_aa to_aa
make_aa a_aa decision_aa about_aa something_ you_aa definitely_ need_aa all_aa
the_aa information_aa involved._aa Without_aa this_aa you_aa will_aa be_aa making_aa
a_aa decision_aa that_aa can_aa lead_aa to_a much_a worse_ things.Working_aa
on_aa everything_aa this_aa week_aa I_ found_aa that_aa the_aa "Think_aa Tank_aa
Self-Evaluation_aa Questionnaire"._aa This_aa didn't_aa make_aa me_aa realize_aa
anything_aa that_aa I_aa already_ didn't_aa know_aa about_aa myself._aa I_
have_aa a_aa passive_aa personality_aa and_aa will_aa try_aa to_aa make_aa things_aa
right_aa and_aa try_aa to_aa avoid_a conflict._aa These_ are_aa also_aa things_aa
I_aa wish_aa I_aa could_aa change_aa about_aa myself_aa but_aa I_aa have_aa
realized_aa that_ you_ can't_ change_ who_a we_ are_ as_ a _a
person._ Positively_a emotions_ can_ effect_ critical_ thinking_a a _aa
good_aa way._aa It_aa can_aa cause_aa a_aa person_aa to_aa respond,_aa think,_aa
and_a look_a it_ situations_ differently._aa Negatively_ emotions_a can _aa
effect_aa a_aa person_a critical_a thinking_aa skills_aa in_ a_aa major_aa way._aa
It_ can_aa cause_ a_aa person_aa to_a ignore_aa thoughts_aa and_aa feelings_aa
of_aa others._aa It_aa can_ also_aa cause_aa them_aa to_aa refuse_aa to_aa do_aa
the_aa right_aa thing_aa and_aa deny_aa any_aa problems_aa they_aa may_aa
have.One_aa way_aa I_aa balance_aa my_aa emotions_aa is_aa by_aa calming_aa
down_ before_ acting._ When_a I_a am_ upset_ I_ tend_ to _aa
make_aa bad_ decisions_aa and_aa respond_aa in_aa ways_aa I_aa shouldn't._aa
But_aa when_aa I_aa am_ calm_ I _aa attend _aa to _aa respond_ better _aa
and_aa make_aa better_aa decisions._aa One_aa example_aa of_aa e_ having_aa
to_aa control_aa my_aa emotions_aa is_aa when,_aa I_aa became_aa upset_aa
because_aa I_aa was_aa nice_aa to_aa and_a kind_aa to_ a_aa person_aa that_aa
turned_aa around_aa and_aa treated_aa me_aa wrong._aa I_aa became_aa so_aa
upset_aa that_ I_ used_aa words_aa I_ shouldn't_ have _aa used_ and _aa
acted_aa in_ a_a way_a I_aa should_ not_aa have._a But_ once_aa I _aa
calmed_aa down_aa I_aa was_aa able_aa to_aa handle_aa the_aa situation_aa better._aa
Communication_ is_ important_ in_ critical_ thinking_ because _aa
whatever_ you_ be_a thinking _aa no_aa matter _aa if_aa its_a good _ or _aa
bad_aa it_aa will_aa eventually_ effect_aa the_aa way_a it_aa is_aa said._aa
Emotional_aa Intelligence_aa and_aa positive_aa effects_aa of_aa emotions_aa is_aa
a_aa very_aa interesting_aa reading_aa that_aa I_aa enjoyed_aa reading._aa It_
explained_aa the_aa different_aa types_aa of_aa emotions_a people_aa may_aa go_aa
through_aa with_a critical_aa thinking._aa Emotions_a can_aa influence_aa critical_a
thinking_aa in_aa both_ a_aa positive_aa way_aa and_aa a_ negative_aa way._aa
As_ mentioned_a in_ chapter_a two,_ empathy_a is_ a_ positive _aa
way_aa emotions_aa can_aa influence_aa critical_aa thinking._aa One_ of_aa the_aa
great_aa things_ about_a working_ in_a customer_aa service_ is_ that _aa
it_ teaches_ you_ a_ lot._ Over_a the_ years_ I've_ picked _aa
up_aa a_aa few_aa things,_aa one_aa being_aa how_aa to_a empathize_aa while_aa
using_aa my_aa critical_aa thinking_aa skills._aa I've_aa had_aa plenty_aa of_aa
customers_ call_ in_ mad,_ screaming,_ using_ foul_ language _aa
but_aa the_aa moment_aa I_aa realize_ their _aa upset_ I _aa almost _aa
immediately_aa use_aa emotion_aa as_aa a_aa way_aa to_aa relate_aa and_aa
quickly_aa begin_ to_aa empathize_ by_aa placing_aa myself_ in_ their _aa
shoes_aa which_aa makes_aa my_aa call_aa a_aa bit_aa easier_aa moving_aa
forward._aa However,_aa there_a has_aa been_aa plenty_aa of_aa times_aa where_aa
empathizing_ has_ had_ a_ negative _aa influence._ I've _aa learned _aa
that_ immediately_ telling_ a_ customer_ that_ you_ apologize _aa
for_aa the_aa inconvenience_aa or_aa say_aa I_ understand_aa how_aa that_aa
can_aa be_aa upsetting_aa can_aa very_aa well_aa upset_aa them._aa They're_aa
not_aa looking_aa for_aa an_aa apology_aa they_aa would_aa just_aa like_aa their_aa
problem_aa solved_aa minus_aa the_aa small_aa talk_aa or_aa they_aa will_aa
argue_aa that_aa you_aa do_aa not_aa understand_aa what_aa they're_aa going_aa
through_aa I'm_aa that_aa customer_ so_aa I_aa know._aa I_aa balance_aa my_aa
emotion_aa and_a reason_aa by_aa doing_aa my_a best_aa to_ stay_ level_aa
headed_aa or_aa even_aa tempered._aa When_aa I_ was _aa younger _aa my _aa
mom_ would _aa always_ say_ "Think _aa before _aa you_ speak_ or _aa
act."_a When_ I _aa think_a of_ emotion_a and_ reason_ I'm_ not _aa
sure_aa why_aa that_aa comes_a to_aa mind_aa but_aa it_aa does._aa Emotion_aa
and_aa reason_aa plays_aa its_ role_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking_aa as_aa stated_aa
before_aa either_aa in_aa a_aa negative_aa way_aa or_aa a_aa positive_aa way._aa
Some_aa have_aa told_aa me_aa I'm_aa not_aa the_ easiest_aa person_a to_
argue_aa with_aa because_aa when_aa I_aa am_aa emotional_aa and_aa can't_aa
reason_aa I_aa say_ things_aa I_aa don't_aa mean_aa and_aa sometimes_aa act_aa
off_a impulse._a Now_ that_ I've_a gotten _aa older_aa I_aa now _ see _aa
what_a my_ mom_ meant_aa and_aa why_aa she_ tried_a to_aa install _aa
that_aa in_aa me_aa at_aa a_aa young_aa age._aa When_aa I'm_aa working_aa
with_aa an_aa irate_aa customer_aa I_aa can't_ argue_ or _aa get _aa just _aa
as_ loud_ it's_ my_ job_a to_ be_ quick_ on_ my_ feet _aa
by_aa using_aa emotion_aa and_ reason_aa to_a empathize_aa to_aa help_aa
deescalate_ as_ well_ as_ reason_ with_ my_ customer_ to _aa
help_aa find_aa a_aa solution_aa to_aa their_aa problem.The_aa role_aa of_aa
language_aa and_aa communication_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa to_aa
eliminate_aa misunderstandings_aa and_aa manipulation._aa We've_aa all_aa heard_aa
the_ saying _aa "It's _aa not _aa what_ you_ say, _aa It's_ how_ you _aa
say_aa it."_aa That_aa is_aa what_aa I_aa think_aa of_ when_aa I_aa think_aa
about_aa language_aa and_aa communication._aa I_ had _ a _aa supervisor _aa
who_aa I_aa considered_aa to_aa be_aa very_aa rude,_aa very_aa egocentric,_aa
and_aa had_aa very_aa dry_aa sarcasm_aa and_aa I_aa could_aa not_aa stand_aa
it._aa He_aa was_aa my_aa point_aa of_aa contact_aa when_aa I_aa was_aa
presented_aa with_aa an_aa issue_aa I_aa was_aa unable_aa to_ solve_aa being_aa
new_aa to_aa the_ job_aa I_aa found_aa myself_aa calling_aa his_aa extension_aa
often,_aa which_aa of_aa course_aa I_aa dreaded_aa because_aa I_aa almost_aa
always_aa hung_a up_aa the_aa call_aa upset_aa or_aa offended_aa by_aa the _aa
way_aa I_aa was_aa spoken_aa too._aa I'd_aa have_aa simple_aa questions_aa or_a
just_a needed_aa to_ be_aa pointed_ in_aa the_aa right_aa direction_aa to _aa
assist_aa my_aa customer_aa further_aa but_aa somehow_aa he_aa always_aa made_aa
me_aa feel_aa bad_ for_aa asking_aa questions._aa I_aa finally_aa spoke_aa up_aa
and_aa I_aa had_aa to_ let_aa him_ know_aa that_aa I_aa am_a here_aa to_
do_aa a_a job_aa and_aa want_aa to_aa be_aa sure_aa that_aa I'm_aa doing_aa
it_ properly._ Of_ course, _aa I _aa had _aa to _ elaborate _aa I _aa had _aa
to_aa explain_aa to_aa him_aa that_aa it_aa was_aa not_aa what_aa he_aa was_aa
saying_aa to_aa me_aa but_aa more_aa so_aa how_aa it_aa was_aa being_aa said_aa
to_aa me_aa as_aa if_aa I_aa were_aa brainless._ Over_aa time_aa a_aa lot_aa
of_aa my_ co-workers_aa explained_aa that's_aa just_aa my _ supervisor’s _a
normal_aa way_aa of_aa speaking_ to_ employee’s, _aa but_ I _ wasn't _aa
ok_aa with_aa that._aa Speaking_aa up_aa allowed_aa the_aa miscommunication_aa
and_a misunderstanding_ to_ stop_aa I_aa no_aa longer_aa felt_aa insulted _aa
or_aa offended_aa because_aa after_aa speaking_aa up_aa he_aa made_aa it_a a_a
point_aa to_aa address_aa me_aa differently._aa This_aa week_aa I_aa enjoyed_aa
reading_aa more_aa than_aa anything_aa chapter_aa three_aa and_aa the_aa
information_aa included_aa to_aa help_aa get_aa a_aa better_aa understanding_aa
of_aa language_aa and_aa communication_aa blew_aa my_aa mind._a Discussion_aa
is_aa always_aa great_aa because_aa I_aa enjoy_aa reading_aa what_aa my_aa
classmates_aa took_aa from_aa the_aa reading,_aa and_aa activities._aa One_aa
concept_aa I_ can_ admit_ I'm_ still_ a_aa bit_a confused_aa about _aa
is_aa understanding_aa the_aa difference_aa between_aa the_aa denotative_ and_aa
connotative_aa meanings_aa of_aa words._aa critical_aa thinking_aa has_aa multiple_aa
components_aa that_ are_aa intercorrelated._aa Our_aa emotions_aa can_aa
positively_aa and_aa negatively_aa influence_aa critical_aa thinking_aa based_aa on_aa
one's_aa age,_aa gender,_aa and_aa experience._aa Emotions_aa can_aa be_aa
associated_aa with_aa success_aa or_aa be_aa the_aa root_aa cause_aa of_aa poor_aa
reasoning_ and_ irrational_ life_ choices._ Emotions_ such_ as _aa
anger_ and_ fear_ can_ be_ barriers_ that_ can_ negatively _
affect_a us_ or,_aa on_aa the_ contrary,_ positively,_aa depending_ on _aa
how_ an_ individual_ applies_ experience_ and_ reasoning_ in _aa
their_aa critical_aa thought_aa process._aa Emotion_aa can_aa enhance_aa critical_
thinking_aa by_aa making_aa us_a prone_aa to_aa fault_aa or_aa motivating_aa
us_aa to_aa make_aa better_aa decisions._aa Finding_aa and_aa maintaining_aa
balance_aa is_aa work._aa I_aa keep_aa a_aa balance_a between _aa emotion _aa
and_aa reason_a (logic)_aa when_aa making_aa decisions_aa by_aa implementing_aa
critical_aa thinking_aa skills._aa Communication_aa skills_aa are_aa an_aa essential_aa
element_aa of_aa critical_aa thinking_aa because_aa it_aa directly_aa affects_aa
one's_aa decision_aa making._aa Effective_aa communication_aa articulates_aa precise_aa
directions,_aa opinions,_aa emotions,_aa understanding,_ clear_aa leaving_aa little_a
room_aa for_aa error_aa and_aa misunderstanding. _aa Communication _aa includes _aa
multiple_aa components_aa of_aa language,_aa verbal,_aa written,_aa non-verbal,_aa
various_aa languages,_aa body_aa language._aa Culture,_aa age,_aa gender,_aa
intelligence_aa are_aa crucial_aa components_aa that_aa play_aa an_aa essential_aa
role_aa in_aa effective_aa communication._aa The_aa emotions_aa of_aa anger_aa
or_aa happiness_ makes_ people _aa react _aa impulsively, _aa which _aa will _aa
affect_ their _aa critical_a thinking _aa negatively. _aa When _aa people _aa are _aa
emotional,_aa it_aa causes_aa them_aa to_aa react_aa instead_aa of_aa using_aa
critical_aa thinking_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa wise_aa decision._aa Christmas_aa is_aa
an_aa example_aa when_aa you_aa balance_aa your_aa emotions_a and_aa reasoning._aa
It_ feels_aa great_aa to_aa make_ your_aa loved_ ones_aa happy_aa when_aa
giving_aa them_aa gifts,_aa but_aa you_aa must_aa make_aa the_aa right_aa
decision._aa You_aa need_aa to_aa control_aa your_aa emotion_ not_aa to_aa
impulsively_aa buy_a gifts_ but_a reasoning_aa out_aa what_aa gifts_aa would_aa
make_aa your_aa loved_aa one_aa happiest._aa Communication_aa and_aa language_aa
are_aa important_aa when_aa hiring_aa a_aa new_aa employee._aa I_aa use_ my_aa
critical_aa thinking_aa skills_aa to_ make_a the_aa right_aa decision_aa based_
on_aa the_aa person’s_aa ability_ of_aa nonverbal_aa communication_aa skills_aa
like_aa eye_ contact_ or_aa a_aa smile_aa and_a the_a language_aa they _aa
use_aa during_aa the_aa interview._aa The_aa employee_aa must_aa communicate_aa
properly_aa with_aa the_aa general_aa public_aa to_aa get_aa positive_ results._aa
Emotions_aa positively_a and_aa negatively_aa influence_aa critical_aa thinking_a
because_aa bad_aa or_aa negative_aa emotions_aa cause_aa our_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa to_ decrease_aa dramatically._aa Which_aa will_aa lead_aa you_aa
to_a make_aa bad_aa decisions_ one_ after_aa another,_aa because _aa you _aa
are_aa not_aa using_aa facts_aa and_aa thinking_aa about_aa the_aa situation_aa
in_aa a_aa reasonable_aa matter._aa Positive_aa emotions_aa will_aa lead_aa to_aa
have_aa positive_aa thoughts_aa and_aa that_aa will_a lead_ you_aa to_aa make_
better_aa decisions_aa .I_aa balance_aa my_aa emotion_aa and_ reason_aa when_aa
making_aa decisions_ by_aa first_aa identifying_aa what_aa outcome_aa I_ am_aa
trying_aa to_aa achieve._aa I_aa then_ write_aa down_ first_aa things_ that_aa
come_a to_ mind,_aa which_ in_a most_ cases_aa it_ is_a emotion. _aa
Then_aa I_aa write_aa down_aa the_aa pros_aa and_aa cons_aa and_aa it_aa
allows_aa me_aa to_a view_aa it_aa from_aa different_aa views._aa Then_aa I_aa
make_aa what_aa I_aa believe_aa is_aa the_aa best_aa decision._aa I_aa ran_aa
into_a this_ as_aa I_a was_aa interviewing_ someone_a for_ a_aa job _aa
and_aa one_aa was_aa a_aa friend_aa and_aa the_aa other_aa was_ a_aa stranger._aa
It_ was_aa a_aa very_aa difficult_aa decision_aa to_aa make_aa as_aa my_aa
first_aa instinct_aa was_aa choosing_aa my_aa friend._aa I_aa decided_aa I_aa
wanted_aa to_aa not_a use_aa emotion_aa and_aa really_aa think_aa critically_aa
to_aa ensure_aa I_ was_aa making_aa the_aa best_aa decision_aa for_aa the_aa
business._aa We_aa did_aa end_aa up_a going_ with_aa the_aa other_aa person_aa
as_aa it_aa was_aa the_aa right_aa thing_aa to_aa do._aa I_aa did_aa provide_aa
my_aa friend_aa with_aa some_aa feedback_aa on_aa what_aa he_aa could_aa
work_aa on_aa in_aa case_aa there_a is_aa another_aa opportunity_aa in_aa the_aa
future.The_aa role_aa of_aa communication_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa
the_aa ability_aa to_aa follow_aa another_ persons_aa thought_aa process._aa I_aa
was_aa trying_aa to_aa explain_aa a_aa situation_aa to_aa a_aa person_aa and_aa
they_aa were_aa just_aa not_aa getting_aa it._aa This_aa started_aa to_aa frustrate_aa
me_ because_ my_ communication _aa was_ not_ getting_ through. _aa
This_ influenced_ my_ critical_ thinking_ because_ I_ was _aa
annoyed,_aa which_aa decreases_aa the_aa ability_aa to_aa think_aa critically._aa
The_aa most_aa interesting_aa activity_aa for_aa me_aa were_aa the_aa videos_aa
that_aa talked_aa about_aa Reason,_aa Emotion_aa and_aa Communication._aa In_
terms_aa of_aa negative_aa effects_aa of_aa emotion_ on_ critical_aa thinking,_
the_aa biggest_aa one_aa is_a the_aa way_ that_aa strong_aa emotion_aa can_aa
distend_aa our_aa thought_aa process._ Reason_aa relies_aa heavily_aa on_aa the_aa
application_aa of_aa intelligence_aa to_aa knowledge,_aa and_aa strong_aa emotion_aa
can_aa sometimes_aa make_aa our_aa brains_aa "create"_aa false_aa knowledge_aa
without_aa us_aa even_aa realizing._aa For_aa example,_aa if_aa someone_aa
outraged_aa at_aa someone_aa else,_aa their_aa brain_aa might_aa decide_aa "that_aa
person_aa deserves_aa to_aa get_aa hurt"_aa is_aa a_aa true_aa fact,_aa and_aa
the_aa outraged_aa person_aa might_aa use_aa reason_aa to_aa come_aa to_aa
conclusions_aa based_aa on_aa that_aa fact._a In_aa the_aa simplest_aa example,_aa
that_aa person_ might_aa think_aa "they_aa deserve_aa to_aa get_aa hurt,_aa so_aa
I_aa should_aa hurt_aa them"_aa even_aa when_aa other,_aa more_aa correct_aa
information_aa might_aa steer_aa them_aa otherwise._aa Anger_aa isn't_aa the_aa
only_aa emotion_aa that_aa can_aa have_aa this_aa effect,_ but_aa rather_aa any_aa
strong_aa emotion_aa can,_aa whether_aa it's_ positive_aa or_aa negative.
In_ terms_ of_ positive_ effects_ of_ emotion_ on_ critical _aa
thinking,_aa the_aa biggest_aa one_aa is_aa its_ ability _aa to _aa present _aa a _aa
drive._aa Critical_a thinking_aa and_aa Reason_aa are_aa tools_aa that_aa humans_aa
can_aa use_ to_aa make_aa decisions_aa or_aa choose_aa a_aa course_aa of_aa
action,_ but_ we_ largely_ need_a to_ be_ stirred_ to_ use _aa
that_aa tool._aa A_aa powerful_aa example_aa of_aa this_a is_aa when_aa people_a
decide_ to_a start_ losing_ weight._ Whether_ the_ person_ is _aa
ashamed_aa of_aa their_aa body_aa or_aa aspiring_aa to_aa a_aa weight_aa goal,_aa
the_aa start_aa of_aa a_aa weight_aa loss_aa journey_aa is_aa almost_aa always_aa
emotional_aa in_ nature._aa That_aa emotion_aa stirs_aa the_aa person_aa to_aa
use_a their_aa reason_aa and_aa critical_aa thinking_aa skills_a when_aa they _aa
otherwise_aa might_aa not_aa have_ -_ "What_aa should_aa I_aa eat?"_aa and_aa
"How_ should_ I_ exercise?"_ are_ problems_ they_ otherwise _aa
wouldn't_aa have_aa analyzed._aa And_aa the_aa emotional_aa start_aa to_aa a_aa
path_aa of_aa reasoning_aa isn't_aa limited_aa to_ this_ example_aa -_aa people_aa
can_aa be_ moved_aa to_aa think_aa critically_aa about_aa their_aa finances,_aa
politics,_aa and_aa even_aa identity_aa by_aa emotional_aa triggers.Balancing_aa
emotion_ and_ reason_ has_ been_ an_ exceptional_ challenge _aa
for_ me_ through_ my_ entire_ life,_ but_ with_ modern _aa
medicine_aa I've_aa been_aa able_aa to_aa become_aa a_aa much_aa more_aa
emotionally_ healthy_ individual._ I'm_a fortunate_ to_a not_ have _aa
to_a worry_aa about_aa emotion_aa impacting_aa my_aa decisions,_aa but_aa I_aa
also_aa struggle_aa with_aa a_aa lack_aa of_aa motivation_aa to_aa act_aa or_aa
even_aa just_aa to_ think_ critically._aa I_aa try_aa to_aa compensate_aa for_aa
my_aa lack_aa of_aa empathy_aa by_aa "exercising"_aa my_aa sympathy_aa to_aa
make_aa sure_aa I'm_aa always_aa aware_aa of_ the_aa impact_aa my_aa actions_aa
have_aa on _aa others, _aa even _aa if _aa I_a won't_ feel_ them_ myself.I _aa
don't_aa have_aa a_aa strong_aa example_aa of_a a_a time_aa I_aa had_aa to_aa
use_aa both_aa emotion_aa and_aa reason_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa decision,_aa but_aa
I_aa think_aa my_aa own_aa weight_aa loss_ journey_a is_ a_ reasonable_aa
one._aa I_aa was_aa dissatisfied_aa with_aa the_aa way_aa I_aa looked_aa so_a
I_aa decided_aa to_aa change_aa it._aa Over_aa the_aa past_aa couple_ months_aa
I've_aa been_aa balancing_aa my_aa dissatisfaction_aa telling_aa me_aa to_ lose_
weight_ as_ fast_ as_ possible_ (heavy_ workouts,_ skipping _aa
meals)_a with_a a_ more _aa rational _aa part _aa of_ me _aa telling _aa me _aa
not_ to_ lose_ weight_ too_ fast_ since_ it_ would_ be _aa
unhealthy._aa An_a example_ of_aa communication_aa making_aa an_aa impact_aa
on_aa my_aa critical_aa thinking_aa would_aa be_aa my_aa deck_aa building_aa
process_ for_ a_ card _aa game_ I_ play._ Were_ I_ limited _aa
to_aa my_aa own_aa intelligence_aa and_aa knowledge,_aa the_aa decks _a I_aa
build_aa would_aa undoubtedly_aa be_aa weaker_aa and_aa lose_aa a_aa lot_aa
more_aa often._aa But_aa with_aa access_aa to_aa the_aa suggestions_aa and_aa
stories_aa of_aa hundreds _aa of _aa thousands_aa of_aa other_aa players,_aa I'm _aa
able_aa to_aa think_aa critically_aa about_aa my_aa deck_aa building_aa choices_aa
on_aa a_aa scale_aa I_aa otherwise_aa wouldn't_ be_aa able_aa to._aa Emotions_aa
can,_aa according_aa to_aa the_aa text,_aa "act_aa as_aa barriers_aa to_aa good_aa
reasoning"_aa but_aa also_ "enhance_aa critical_aa thinking_aa by_aa pre-disposing_aa
us_aa or_aa motivating_aa us_a to_aa make_aa better_aa decisions"._aa So_aa on_aa
the_aa positive_ side,_aa by_aa being_aa in_aa touch_ with_aa emotions_aa in_
general,_ we_a can_aa be_aa inspired_ to_ do_aa better,_a think_aa on _aa
a_aa deeper_aa level, _aa and_a strive_ for _aa excellence. _aa The _aa negative _aa
side_aa is_ that_aa if_aa we_aa allow_aa our_aa emotions_aa to_aa drive_ our_aa
thought_aa processes_aa without_aa applying_aa logic,_aa they_aa can_aa stop_aa
us_aa from_a actually_aa thinking_ through_ what_aa it_aa is_aa we_aa need_aa
to_aa consider_aa in_aa a_aa rational_aa manner._aa Parenthood_aa is_aa the_aa
ultimate_aa test_aa of_aa balancing_aa emotion_aa and_aa reasoning_ when _aa
making_aa decisions._aa There_aa are_aa times,_aa especially_aa when_aa tired,_aa
that_aa as_ a_ parent_aa I_a have_ wanted_a to_ just_aa give_ in _aa
to_aa the_aa demands_aa of_aa my_a kids,_aa because_aa it_ would_ make_aa
my_aa life_aa easier_aa -_aa say_aa getting_aa fast_aa food_aa for_aa dinner._aa
While_aa emotionally_aa I_aa frequently_aa wanted_aa to_aa just_a cave_aa and_aa
do_aa what_aa they_a wanted, _aa rationally _aa I _aa knew _aa that _aa I _aa had _aa
to_a think_a about_a how _aa many_aa times _aa that _aa week _aa had_aa we _aa
already_aa eaten_aa out?_aa What_aa were_aa my_aa finances_aa looking_aa like?_aa
Was_aa their_aa behavior_aa worthy_aa of_aa a_aa treat?_aa In_aa this_aa case,_aa
more_a often_a logic_aa needed_ to_ prevail_aa in_aa order_ to_ do _aa
the_aa right_aa thing_aa for_a my_aa kids.The_aa role_ communication_aa plays_aa
in_aa critical_aa thinking_aa is_ it_aa enables_aa us_aa to_aa make_aa more_aa
thorough_aa assessments_aa of_aa the_aa situations_aa we_aa have_a to_ consider_aa
and_aa respond_aa to._aa It_aa is_aa how_aa we_aa take_aa in_aa data_aa and_aa
information_aa that_aa we_aa should_aa then_aa apply_aa to_ the_aa process_aa
we_aa undertake_aa to_aa come_aa up_aa with_aa an_aa appropriate_aa response._a
Tying_aa back_aa to_aa emotion,_aa in_aa the_aa virtual_aa work_aa environment_aa
we_aa find_aa ourselves_aa in,_aa the_aa interpretations_ we _aa make _aa to _aa
how_aa others_ communicate_aa with_aa us._aa I_aa have_ found_aa I_ have_aa
to_aa often_aa pause_ before_aa responding_aa to_aa email_aa in_a order_aa to_
make_aa sure_aa that_ I'm_ assessing_aa the_ writer's_a actual_aa meaning_aa
in_a a_ clear_aa and_ level_aa headed_aa manner,_ particularly_ when _aa
it_aa comes_ across_aa as_aa potentially_aa negative_ or_ confrontational_a -
_aa the _aa words _aa truly _aa matter. _aa I _aa think _aa emotions _aa can _aa be _
great_aa for_aa critical_ thinking._a I_a learned_aa this_aa week_aa that_aa
emotions_aa can_aa really_aa only_aa be_aa negative_aa for_ critical_aa thinking_aa
if_aa you_aa don't_ know_aa where_aa there_aa coming_aa from,_aa understand_aa
them_aa or_a know_aa how_aa to_aa control_aa them._aa To_a balance_aa your_aa
emotions_aa it's_aa very_aa important_aa to_aa understand_aa where_aa they_aa
came_aa before_aa making_aa any_aa decisions..._aa good_aa or_aa bad!_aa It_aa
can_ be_ very_ dangerous _aa to _aa make _aa an _aa impulse _aa move _aa
based_aa on_aa high_aa emotions._aa When_aa reasoning_aa it's_ very_aa important_aa
to_aa analyze_aa other_aa factors_ in_aa your_aa life_aa and_aa then_aa make_aa
an_aa educated_aa decision._a Most_aa critical_aa thinkers_aa can_aa hold_aa an_aa
argument_a with_aa solid_aa factual _ evidence _aa or _aa opinions _aa therefore _aa
they_ are _aa good_ communicators. _aa Nonverbal_ communication_ is _aa
also_aa very_aa important_aa because_aa a_aa good_aa critical_aa thinker_aa can_aa
read_aa body_a language_aa and_aa how_aa one_a feels_aa so_aa it’s_aa important_aa
to_aa hold_a yourself_aa high_aa with_aa confidence,_aa even_aa if_aa you_aa
don't_aa feel_aa that_aa way.I_aa think_aa the_aa most_aa interesting_aa activity_aa
I_aa did_aa this_aa week_aa was_aa the_aa "Think_aa Tank_aa Self-Evaluation_aa
Questionnaire"._aa The_ reason_ for_aa that_aa is_aa because_aa my_aa whole_aa
life_ I_ have _aa pictured_ myself_ as_ a _ pretty _aa laid-back _aa
person,_aa never_aa the_aa one_aa who_aa liked_aa confrontation,_aa but_aa my_aa
results_aa said_ that_aa I'm_aa an_aa aggressive_aa communicator._aa Emotions_a
can_aa positively_aa influence_aa critical_a thinking_aa by_ giving_ someone_aa
the_aa courage_aa to_aa stand_aa up _ for _ something _ others _aa and _aa
themselves_ believe_ such_a as_ Rosa_ Parks_ stand_a on_a not _aa
moving_aa to_aa the_aa back_aa of_aa the_aa bus_aa or_aa Martin_aa Luther_aa
King_aa Jr_aa leading_aa civil_aa rights._aa An_aa example_aa of_aa emotions_aa
negatively_aa influencing_aa critical_aa thinking_aa would_aa be_aa an_aa athlete_aa
such_aa as_aa a_aa boxer_aa going _a into _aa a _aa fight _aa thinking _aa his _aa
opponent_ is_ a_ greater_ fighter_ then_ him_ which_ will _aa
throw_a off_a his_ focus_aa and_ skills._ The_aa way_aa I_a balance _aa
my_aa emotions_aa when_aa making_aa any_ decision_aa is_aa by_aa taking_aa
the_aa time_aa to_aa step_aa back_aa and_aa actually _aa gather _aa as _aa many _aa
possible_aa outcomes_aa that_aa I_aa could_aa take_aa or_aa could_aa happen._aa
I_aa had_aa a_aa mission_aa one_aa day_aa as_aa an_aa Assistant_aa Convoy_aa
Commander_aa which_aa was_aa my_aa time_aa in_aa that_aa position,_aa I_aa
had_a loaded_ up_ the_a wrong_a equipment_ which_aa caused_aa the _aa
mission_ to_ take_ longer,_ I_ felt_ that_ I_a had_ messed _aa
up_aa bad_ but_ I _aa gathered_ my_ emotions_ and_ starting _aa
directing_aa the_aa right_aa equipment_aa to_aa the_aa front_aa of_aa the_aa line_aa
and_aa continued_aa mission._aa Communication_aa plays_aa a_aa big_aa role_aa
because_aa you_ need_aa to_aa understand_aa someone_aa else's_ point_aa on_aa
any_aa situation,_aa it_aa is_aa not_aa always_aa words_aa it_aa can_ be_aa
body_aa language_aa or_ their_aa actions._aa At_aa work_aa I_aa was_aa taught_aa
a_aa certain_aa way_aa to_aa set_aa up_aa the_aa chains_aa for_aa equipment_aa
that_ we_ load._ One_ mission_ my_ driver_ started_ setting _aa
up_aa the_aa chains_ his_aa was,_aa so_aa I_aa followed_ his_aa method,_aa
and_aa it_aa turned_aa out_aa to_ be_aa a_aa lot_aa easier_aa and_aa secure._
The_aa one_aa activity_aa I_aa really_aa enjoyed_aa was_aa the_aa communication_aa
style_aa questionnaire,_aa the_ reason_aa being_aa it_aa helps_aa understand_aa
how_aa you_aa think_aa as_ an_aa individual._aa Critical _ thinking _ is _aa
still_ tough_ subject_ to_ understand_ because_ there_ is_ so _aa
many_aa approaches_aa on_aa it_aa but_aa going_aa through_aa all_aa the_aa
activities_aa and_a videos_aa I_aa am_aa grasping_aa it_aa more_ and_aa more._aa
Happiness_aa of_aa your_aa emotions_aa either_aa coming_aa from_aa family,_aa
friend,_aa kids,_ school_aa or_aa work,_ but_aa that's_ the_ supporting, _aa
encouraging_ and_ motivations_ of_ the_ positively_ emotions. _aa
Negatively_aa emotions_aa come_a from,_aa fear_aa scared_aa to_aa challenge_aa
things,_aa do_ things_aa your_aa way,_aa scared_aa of_aa what_ the_aa next_aa
person_ think_ of_ you,_ stress_ or_ pressure_ at_ work, _aa
pressure_aa with_aa school,_ or_aa a_aa struggle_aa with_aa you_aa and_ your_a
kids,_aa household,_aa I_aa mean_aa there_a are_aa ways_aa to_aa effect_aa your_aa
emotions_aa but_a its_aa up_aa to_aa you_aa to_aa handle_aa things_aa and_
make_aa wise_aa choices,_aa The_aa most_aa recent_aa concepts_aa I_aa have_aa
learn_aa and_aa still_aa learning_aa are_aa the_aa Languages,_aa Informative,_aa
Directive,_aa Expressive,_aa Emotive,_aa and_aa Geremonial_aa languages,_aa these_a
are_aa languages_aa I_aa never_aa heard_aa of_a and_ willing_aa to_ know_aa
more_aa about,_aa I_aa love_aa learning_aa new_aa things._aa Emotions_aa positveily_aa
and_aa negatively_aa influence_aa critical_aa thinking_aa because_ sometimes_aa
if_aa our_aa emotions_aa get_aa the_ best_aa of_aa us_aa it_aa effects_aa the_aa
way_aa we_aa think_aa or_a what_a we_aa think_aa about_aa situations._aa It_aa
can_aa also_ influence_aa how_aa we_aa behave_aa in_aa certain_aa situations_aa
as_aa well._aa When_ we _aa have _aa positive _aa emotions _aa we _aa are _aa
more_aa than_aa likely_aa to_aa think_aa in_aa a_aa good_aa way_aa versus_aa
negative_aa emotions_a can_aa cause_aa us_aa to_aa think_aa in_aa a_aa bad_aa
way._aa I_aa balance_aa my_aa emotion_aa and_aa reason_aa when_aa making_aa
a_aa decision_aa by_aa having_aa good_aa reason_aa to_aa support_aa my_aa
decision._aa My_aa emotions_aa can_aa effect_aa the_aa decisions_aa I_aa make_aa
so_aa therefore_aa I_aa try_aa to_aa make_aa sure_aa I_aa am_aa in_aa a_aa
good_ space_ or_ the_ right_ space_ of_ emotion_ when _aa
making_aa a_ decision._aa Communication_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking_aa allows_aa
you_aa to_aa communicate_aa effectively._aa A_aa time_aa when_aa language_aa
or_aa communication_aa influenced_aa my_aa critical_aa thinking_ was_ when_aa
I_aa was_aa completing_aa a_aa job_aa as_aa a_aa team_aa at_aa work_aa with_aa
people_a of_ different_ diversity_a which_a expanded_aa my_ language _aa
and_aa communication_aa skills._aa The_aa most_aa interesting_aa activity_aa I_aa
learned_aa this_aa week_aa was_aa learning_aa that_aa I_aa have_aa a_aa assertive_aa
communication_aa style._aa Learning_aa about_aa emotions_aa in_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa was_aa also_aa interesting_aa to_ me._aa Positive_aa emotions_aa
can_aa influence_aa critical_aa thinking_aa by_aa motivating_ us_aa to_aa correct_aa
something_aa that_aa we_ did_aa in_aa our_aa past._aa Laughing_aa is_ a_aa
positive_aa emotion_aa that_aa helps_aa us_aa think_aa clearer._aa When_aa there_aa
is_aa positive_aa emotions_aa we_aa are_aa usually_aa having_aa a_a good_aa
day_aa and_ are_aa happy,_aa it_aa can_aa quickly_aa change_aa however,_aa
when_aa Negative_aa emotions_aa such_aa as_aa someone_ that_aa is_aa crying,_aa
you_aa need_aa to_ comfort_aa and_aa use_aa critical_aa thinking_ to_aa find_aa
out_aa details_aa and_aa the_aa reasoning_aa as_aa to_aa why_aa this_aa emotion_aa
is_aa causing_aa a_aa negative_aa environment_aa to_ help_aa them_ overcome_aa
their_a sadness._aa I_ balance_ my_ emotions_ by_ staying_a calm _aa
and_aa ensure_aa that_aa I_aa am_aa not_aa upset_aa or_aa angry_aa it_aa allows_aa
me_ to_ use_aa my_aa reasoning_a skills_aa when_aa investigating_aa and _aa
gathering_aa information_aa to_aa help_aa me_aa make_aa an_aa informed_aa
decision._aa The_ day _aa I_ received_aa a_ call _aa that _aa my _aa dad _aa
was_aa not_aa doing_aa well,_aa I_aa could_ have_aa gotten_aa in_aa the_aa
car_aa and_aa drove_aa 100 _aa mph _aa and _aa risked _aa my _aa life _aa among _aa
others._a Instead,_a I_aa calmly_aa completed_a what_aa I_a was_ doing, _aa
which_aa took_aa about_aa 2_aa hours_aa and_aa then_aa took_aa the_aa one_aa
hour_aa car_ ride_aa to_aa be_aa with_aa my_aa dad._aa I_aa used_aa positive_aa
emotion_aa and_aa reasoning_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa good_aa decision._aa My_aa
dad_aa passed_a the_aa following_aa day.The_aa role_aa of_aa language_aa and_aa
communication_aa play_ a_aa role_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking,_aa communication_aa
can_aa be_aa informative,_ directive,_aa expressive_aa or_aa emotional._aa I_aa
feel_aa I_aa am_aa influenced_aa by_aa expressive_aa or_aa emotional_a
communication_ to_ due_ my_ experiences_ in_ the_a workplace. _aa
It_ can_aa be_a quite_aa emotional_aa as_aa an_aa adult_aa child_aa needs_aa
to_aa find_aa senior_aa care_aa for_aa their_aa parent_aa and_aa as_aa they_aa
are_aa already_aa stressed_aa and_aa feeling_ defeated_aa they_aa become_aa
expressive_aa and_aa emotional._aa I_aa feel_aa this_aa is_aa when_aa I_ can_aa
communicate_aa effectively_aa with_aa my_aa growing_aa critical_aa thinking_aa
skills_aa that_aa have_aa I_aa have_aa grown_aa over_aa the_ past_aa 20_aa
years._aa Communication_aa style_aa questionnaire_aa was_aa the_aa most_aa
interesting_a this_aa week_a for_aa me._ As_aa I_aa have _aa taken_ the _a
Leadership_ style_ questionnaire,_ I_ was_ curious_ what_ the _aa
outcome_ of_ the_ communication_ style_ questionnaire._ I_ am _aa
not_aa surprised_aa at_aa the_aa outcome_aa of_aa being_aa an_aa assertive_aa
communicator._aa I_aa feel_aa this_aa is_aa due_aa to_aa my_aa extensive_aa
training_aa in_aa leadership_aa and_aa my_aa job_aa as_aa an_aa Administrator._aa
I_ communicate_ effectively_ through_ verbal_ and_ nonverbal _aa
communication._aa Critical_aa Thinking_ is_aa based_aa on_ reason,_aa
communication_aa and_aa emotion._aa The_aa fact_aa that_aa emotion_aa is_aa a_aa
factor_aa is_aa somewhat_aa confusing_aa to_aa most_aa people_aa when_aa it_aa
comes_aa to_aa making_aa a_aa decision._aa Emotion_aa can_aa be_aa a_
positive_aa influence_aa in_aa making_aa a_ decision,_aa on_aa the_aa other_aa
hand,_aa negative_aa influences_aa can_aa have_aa a_aa bad_aa effect_aa on_a it_
as_aa well._aa Here_aa is_aa the_ tough_aa choice_aa for_ you_aa as_aa a_aa
decision_aa maker._aa Using_aa emotion_aa in_aa making_aa a_aa decision_aa is_a
this_aa something_aa you_aa can_aa do_aa effectively,_aa or_aa is_a this_aa
something_ that_ emotion_ will_ have_a to_ take_ back_ seat. _aa
That_aa is_aa something_aa you_aa will_aa have_aa to_aa decide._aa I_aa have_a
struggled_aa with_aa making_aa decisions_aa in_aa my_aa life_aa because_aa of_aa
emotion._aa I_aa made_aa some_aa decisions_aa without_aa using_aa emotion_a
and_aa have_aa paid_aa for_ down _aa the _aa road. _aa I _aa have _aa made _aa
other_aa decisions_aa using_aa emotion_aa and_ have_aa paid_aa for_aa that_aa
as_aa well._aa It_aa is_aa a_aa difficult_a either_ way._aa I_aa guess_aa my_aa
decision_a to_ enlist_ in_a the_aa Air_a Force_aa was_aa a_aa decision _aa
that_aa I_a had _ to _aa make _a with_a a_a lot _a of _aa emotion. _aa My _aa
wife,_ at_ the_ time,_ and_ I_ were_ managing_ a_ Baskin-
Robbins_aa store_aa in_aa Mesa_aa Arizona._aa We_aa were_aa happy_aa and_aa
just_aa had_aa a_aa kid_aa to_aa make_aa is_ even_aa better._aa It_aa was_aa
just_ a_ couple_ of_ months_ afterward,_ and_ our_ owner _aa
decided_aa that_aa he_aa had_aa enough_aa of_aa the_ corporate_aa grind_aa
and_aa wanted_aa to_ retire._a That_aa left_aa us_aa with_aa a_ down-sized_aa
paycheck_ and_ a _aa baby_ to _aa raise. _aa I _ had _aa a _aa decision _aa
to_a make._aa We _aa would_ lose_aa our_aa town-house,_aa would_ have _aa
to_ say _aa good-bye _aa to_ our _aa friends_ it_ was_ quite_ the _aa
ordeal_aa for_aa me_aa and_aa my_ wife._aa My_aa decision_aa was_aa based_aa
on_aa reason_aa as_aa it_aa was_aa a_aa great_aa job_aa and_aa we_aa would_aa
have_aa a_aa new_aa beginning_aa it_aa was_aa a_aa good_aa decision_aa all_aa
around._ It_ was_ tough_ but_a we_ had_ to_ do_ it.Good _aa
communication_aa is_a always_aa helpful_aa when_aa it_aa comes_ to_ critical_aa
thinking._ _ Good_ Communication_a makes_a the_ problem_a less _aa
trouble-some_ and _aa a_ lot_ easier _aa to _aa deal _aa with._ Bad _aa
communication_aa makes_aa the_aa problem _aa more_ strenuous _aa to _aa deal _aa
with._aa Bad_aa communication_aa can_aa cause_aa chaos,_aa and_aa cause_aa
mixed_aa messages_ to _aa further _ hamper _aa the _ effort. _aa I _aa was _aa
on_aa the_ fence_aa when_aa I_aa decided_ to_ go_aa back_aa to_aa college._aa
I_aa was_aa not_aa sure_aa if_aa I_aa could_aa really_aa do_aa it,_aa my_aa
voice_ said_ that_ I_a could_ but_ my_ heart_ really_ was _aa
not_ sure. _aa It_ took_ my_ wife _aa and_ several _aa others_ to _aa
convince_aa me_aa that_aa I_ could._aa I_aa think_ I_aa made_aa the_aa right_aa
choice.I_aa think_aa the_aa videos_a inspired_ me_aa to_aa look_ up_aa more_aa
on_aa critical_aa thinking_aa issue._aa The_aa book_aa delved_aa into_aa most_aa
of_ what_ I_ wanted_ to_ learn,_ but_ there_ is_ much _aa
more_aa that_aa I_aa need_aa to_ learn_aa on_aa this_aa subject._aa Emotions_aa
can_aa be_aa a_aa positive_aa aspect_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa if_aa paired_aa
with_aa reasoning._aa One_aa of_aa the_aa videos_aa in_aa this_aa week’s_aa
lessons_aa used_aa Nelson_aa Mandela_aa as_aa an_aa example_a of_aa someone_aa
who_aa used_aa his_aa emotions_aa in_aa cohesion_aa with_aa reasoning_aa and_aa
logic_aa to_ bring_a forth_aa positive_aa change_aa in_aa South_aa Africa._aa
Trying_aa to_aa use_aa critical_aa thinking_aa with_aa no_aa logic_aa or_aa
reasoning_aa behind_aa it_aa could_aa make_aa people_aa susceptible_aa to_aa
make_aa errors_aa in_aa decision_aa making._aa An_aa example_aa of_aa how_aa
faulty_aa emotions_aa can_aa be_ in _a critical _ thinking _aa would _aa be _
to_aa picture_ a_aa couple_aa who_aa is_aa in_aa a_aa moment_aa of_a anger_aa
making_aa a_aa choice_aa about_aa their_aa relationship._aa The_aa fleeting_aa
anger_aa they_aa are_aa feeling_aa in_a that_aa moment_aa could_aa cause_aa
them_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa illogical_aa choice.While_aa raising_aa a_aa child_aa
I_ find_ myself_ using _aa reason_aa and_ emotion_ together _aa more _aa
than_aa I_aa do_ in_aa many_aa other_aa aspects_aa of_aa my_ life._aa My_
emotion_aa helps_aa me_aa protect_ her_aa youth_aa and_aa innocence._aa While_aa
my_aa reasoning_aa helps_aa me_aa see_aa her_aa on_aa a_aa larger_aa scale_aa
and_aa evaluate_aa the_aa intricacies_aa of_aa parenting._aa I_aa also_ teach_aa
her_aa to_aa use_aa her_aa reasoning_aa to_aa make_aa her_aa own_aa judgements_
based_ in_ logic._ Communication_ plays_ a_ huge_ role_a in _aa
critical_aa thinking._aa Language,_aa both_aa verbal_aa and_ non-verbal_aa are_aa
unique,_ culturally,_a geographically,_a and_ even_ amongst_ genders _aa
and_aa animals._aa An_aa animal_a may_ use_aa non-verbal_aa communication_aa
such_ as_a body_ language_ to_a show_ signs_ of_ aggression._aa
This_aa is_aa pivotal_aa in_aa deciding_aa what_aa a_aa person_aa who_aa
encountered_aa the_aa animal_aa should_aa do_aa next._aa Learning_aa how_aa
different_aa groups_aa communicate_aa can_aa also_aa help_aa alleviate_aa some_aa
confusion_aa or_aa presumed_aa intent._aa What_aa looks_aa aggressive_aa or_aa
rude_aa to_aa one_aa group_aa in_ terms_aa of_aa communicating_aa is_aa just_aa
a_ normal _aa way _aa of_ communicating _aa for _aa another._ Clear _aa
communication_aa can_ also_aa help_aa prevent_aa problems_aa and_aa confusion_aa
while_aa trying_aa to_aa prevent_aa or_aa fix_ an_aa issue._aa Communication_aa
can_aa give_aa insight_aa to_ gain_aa clarity_aa on_aa what_aa approach_aa is_aa
best._aa I_aa loved_aa learning_aa about_aa communication_aa and_aa all_aa the_aa
different_ ways_ people_ express_ themselves._ I_ gained_ the _aa
newest_aa knowledge_ from_aa this_aa portion_aa of_aa this_aa week’s_aa content._aa
I_ did_ not_ struggle_ with_ any_ concepts_ this_ week; _aa
however,_aa it_aa was_aa very_aa enlightening._aa Emotions_ can_aa have_aa a_aa
big_aa impact_aa in_aa how_ a_aa person_ thinks._aa Sometimes_aa emotions_aa
can_aa help_aa justify_aa your_aa actions_aa and_aa propel_aa you_aa to_ take_aa
action,_aa such_ as_aa cleaning_aa a_aa city_aa or_aa helping_aa people_aa out_
of_aa poverty_aa because_aa you_a know_aa how_aa it_aa feels_aa to_aa be_aa
in_ their _aa place. _ emotions _ can _ help _ you _aa think _ about _aa
how_aa a_ person_aa feels_aa in_aa a_aa certain_aa situation_aa so_aa you_aa
can_aa help_aa them._a however_ emotions_aa may_aa also_aa impact_aa your_aa
thinking_aa negatively._aa sometimes_aa you_aa may_a be_aa angry_aa or_aa sad_a
with_ someone_ and_a this_ may_a cause_a over_a reaction_ and _aa
irrational_aa thinking,_aa following_aa through_aa with_aa these_aa thoughts_aa may_aa
lead_aa you_aa to_aa regret_aa your_ decisions._aa It_aa is_a a_aa good_aa
idea_aa to_aa balance_aa rational_a and_ emotional_aa thinking_aa out,_ when_aa
talking_aa to_aa someone_aa who_aa is_aa going_aa through_aa something_aa that_aa
you_aa experienced_aa its_aa probably_aa good_ to_aa let_aa your_aa emotions_aa
do_aa the_aa talking_aa so_a the_aa person_aa you_aa are_aa helping_aa know_aa
how_aa you_a felt_aa during_aa that_aa situation._aa When_aa it_ comes_aa to_aa
work,_ school,_ or _aa even _aa taking_ a _ side _aa with _aa evidence _aa
support_aa its_ best_aa to_aa leave_aa the_ emotions_ aside_aa and_aa think_aa
rationally_aa about_aa your_aa decisions._aa language_aa adds_aa emphasis_aa on_aa
what_aa you_aa are_aa talking_aa about,_aa its_aa not_aa just_a about_aa what_aa
you_aa say_aa its_aa also_aa about_aa how_aa you_aa say_aa it._aa Someone_aa
can_aa say_aa have_aa a_aa nice_aa day_aa in_ two_aa different_aa tones_aa
of_ voice_ and_ each_ tone_ expresses_ how_a your_ feeling, _aa
one_aa may_aa be_aa gentle_aa and_aa kind_aa while_aa the_aa other_a may_aa
be_aa sarcastic._aa When_aa I'm_aa at_aa work_aa most_ of_aa the_aa language_aa
that_aa I_aa use_aa is_aa directive_aa and_aa expressive_aa language_aa so_aa I_aa
may_aa help_aa customers_aa with_aa the_aa best_aa service_aa that_aa I_aa can_aa
give_aa them,_aa even_aa when_aa I_ may_aa be_aa frustrated_aa I_aa cant_aa
use_aa a_aa sarcastic_aa tone,_aa I_aa still_aa have_aa to_aa maintain_ optimism_aa
to_aa perform_aa my_aa tasks_aa to_aa serve_aa customers._aa however_aa not_aa
all_aa language_aa is_aa displayed_aa through_aa your_aa voice,_aa there_aa is_aa
also_aa body_aa language,_aa how_aa you_ present_aa yourself_aa may_aa have_
an_ impact_ on_ how_ another _aa person_ may_ view_ your _aa
approach._aa while_aa all_aa of_ the_aa learning_aa concepts_aa have_aa been_aa
clear_aa and_aa straight_aa forward_aa through_aa out_aa the_aa week,_aa my_aa
confusion_aa lies_aa solely_aa on_aa the_aa ceremonial_aa language,_aa I_aa am_aa
confused_aa on_aa weather_aa this_ is_ a_ language,_ a_aa way_aa of _aa
speaking,_aa or_aa how_aa the_aa words_aa are_aa put_aa together._aa Allowing_a
emotions_aa to_aa get_aa involved_aa in_aa decision_aa making_aa can_aa affect_aa
critical_ thinking_ both_ positively_ and_ negatively._ Just_a like _aa
Nelson_aa Mandela,_ making _aa decisions_ and_ thinking_ critically _aa
about_aa something_aa that_aa you_aa are_aa passionate_a about_ can_aa have_a
a_aa positive_aa outcome._aa It_aa will_aa give_aa you_aa the_aa motivation_aa
and_a desire_ that_ you_aa need_a to_aa be_aa successful._ On_ the _aa
other_aa hand,_aa if_aa you_aa are_ thinking_aa critically_aa about_aa something_aa
that_ you_ are _aa not_ passionate_ about,_a or_ despise_ doing, _aa
it_aa can_aa have_aa a_aa negative_aa outcome_aa that_aa may_aa prevent_aa
success.Sometimes_aa I_aa have_aa to_aa make_aa decisions,_aa and_aa my_aa
emotions_aa are_aa factored_aa into_aa that_a decision._a I_aa try,_ but_aa do_aa
not_aa always_aa succeed,_aa to_aa process_aa how_a I_aa feel_aa and_aa still_aa
try_aa and_aa make_aa a_ rational_aa decision_aa that_aa will_aa ensure_aa the_aa
best_ outcome. _aa For _aa example: _aa I_ just_ moved_ to_ the _aa
Atlanta_aa area._aa I_ love_ having _aa my_ free _aa time,_ but _aa I _aa
know_aa that_aa I_aa need_aa to_aa find_aa a_aa job_aa to_ ensure_aa my_aa
financial_aa securities._ As_aa much_ as_aa I_ have_aa enjoyed_ living _aa
off_aa of_aa my_aa savings,_ I_aa have_aa to_aa look_aa at_aa the_aa long-
term_aa outcome_aa of_aa working._aa Communication_aa is_aa extremely_aa
important_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking._aa Communicating_aa not_aa just_aa
important_aa information_aa in_aa a_aa professional_aa setting,_aa but_a also_aa
communicating_aa with_aa friends,_aa family,_aa etc._aa about_aa emotions_aa are_aa
vital_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking._aa It_aa allows_aa us_aa to_ convey_aa how_
we_aa are_aa feeling_aa and_aa solve_aa any_aa issues_aa that_aa be_aa happening._aa
Just_aa recently_aa when_aa my_aa partner_aa and_aa I_aa were_aa looking_aa at_aa
places_aa to_aa live,_aa we_ both_aa had_aa different_aa perspectives_aa on_aa
our_aa living_aa spaces._aa By_aa us_aa both_aa communicating_aa how_aa we_aa
felt_ and_ what_ we_a both_ needed,_ we_ were_ able_ to _aa
come_aa to_aa a_aa compromise._aa This_aa was_aa done_aa through_aa the_aa
use_aa of_aa our_aa collaborative_aa critical_aa thinking._aa If_aa we_aa did_a
not_aa communicate_aa effectively,_aa then_aa we_aa probably_aa would _a not _aa
be_ living_ together_ currently.This_ week,_ I_ enjoyed_ the _aa
interactive_aa learning_aa videos._aa As_aa simple_aa as_aa they_aa may_aa seem,_aa
I_ have_ felt_a like_ I_a have_aa needed_aa some_aa reminders_aa on _aa
critical_aa thinking_aa and_aa the_aa importance_aa it_aa has_aa on_aa making_aa
decisions._ Sometimes_ I_ do_ forget_ to_ communicate,_ and _aa
this_aa prohibits_aa me_ from_ thinking_ critically. _aa When_ being _aa
faced_aa with_aa a_aa problem_aa that_aa requires_aa some_aa critical_aa thinking,_aa
emotion_aa is_ a_aa good_aa boost_aa to_aa the_aa outcome._aa If_aa I_aa take_aa
into_aa consideration_aa of_aa how_aa my_aa decision_aa will_aa affect_aa others_aa
or_aa how_aa it_aa might_aa make_aa someone_aa feel,_aa then_aa I_aa feel_aa
satisfied_a with_ whatever_aa solution_ I_aa come_a up_ with._aa Also _aa
if_aa I_aa don't_aa care_aa for_aa how_aa it_ could_aa make_aa someone_aa
feel_ that_ would_ impact_ my_ critical_ thinking_ and_ it _aa
makes_aa me_ look_aa selfish_aa mean_aa or_ ugly._ I_aa purchased_aa a_aa
Christmas_aa tree_aa in_aa early_aa November._aa When_aa I_aa got_aa home_aa
and_aa opened_aa it_aa up_aa I_aa was_aa dissatisfied_aa with_aa it_aa but_aa
because_aa of_aa Covid_aa I_aa was_aa not_aa able_aa to_aa return_aa it._ I_aa
went_aa on_aa to_aa buy_aa one_aa that_aa I_aa like_aa and_a I_aa told_ my_
friend_aa I_aa had_aa an_aa extra_aa one_ and_aa she_aa never_aa responded_aa
back_ to_ me._ Here_ it_ is_ December_ 1st_ and_ she _a
asked_aa if_ I_aa could_ drop_aa it_aa off_aa to_a her._aa However_aa my_aa
children_a decided_aa to_ put_ the _aa tree_ in_aa their_aa room_ and _aa
be_aa decorative._aa I_aa thought_aa if_aa I_aa take_aa the_aa tree_aa from_aa
them_aa they_aa would_aa feel_aa sad_aa and_aa if_aa she_aa really_aa needed_aa
it_aa why_aa should_aa I_aa drop_aa it_aa off._aa Its_aa free_aa for_a her._a
Where's_aa her_aa effort?_aa I_aa decided_aa to_aa let_aa my_aa children_aa keep_aa
it._aa Communication_aa is_ important._aa If_aa she_aa had_aa responded_ and_aa
said_aa she_ would _aa think _aa about_ it_ or_ asked_ me_ to _aa
deliver_aa to_aa her_aa before_aa I_aa would_aa have_aa done_aa it._aa This_aa
week_aa I_aa learned_aa that_aa I_aa am_aa an_aa assertive_aa communicator.
