introduction
“Cultivating Emotional Discernment,” helps students identify when emotion can become risky and potentially cause harm to themselves and others if unchecked. It explores how risky emotions can influence ethical decision-making and lead to behaviors that are unkind or unethical. The goal is for students to cultivate the skills of recognizing emotions and deciding whether to “fuel” them, thereby managing their emotions in ways that align with their values. This requires basic emotional literacy and an understanding of the relationship between emotions and needs, as negative emotions often arise from unmet needs, which can foster patience.