Most of us experience a range of emotions daily, some of which make us feel bad and others that make us feel good. Because of that, we label those emotions as negative or positive. Negative emotions need to be experienced because they can cause more issues when repressed. Many positive things can come out of negative experiences and emotions, as long as you look at it as an opportunity to learn and improve.
Sadness
This is considered a negative emotion, and usually occurs as a result of another feeling, which makes it a secondary emotion. For instance, sadness can come from a feeling of loss, grief, loneliness, misunderstanding, rejection or a lack of accomplishment. Isolating the cause can help overcome the sadness.
Guilt
Guilt is also considered a negative emotion, although it can lead to positive results, such as stopping behavior that has harmed others. In some cases, guilt is a futile emotion, because it's usually a feeling you have about something you've already done and can't change. However, if appropriate, you can apologize, learn from the mistake and figure out how to move on.
Anger
Anger is a secondary emotion usually seen as negative, but it's also a powerful survival tool that prepares us for action. However, prolonged anger and repressed anger are unhealthy, so it's important to figure out what triggered it--fear, disrespect, pressure--and address that cause in a healthful way. For instance, if somebody's behavior makes you angry, you might say, "It makes me angry when you ignore me, because I feel like you don't respect my opinion." Anger can teach you what you need, what you value, what you believe and what's missing in your life.
Fear
Fear is meant to protect us, although it's usually considered a negative emotion. That's because when it's felt in excess, it can distort reality and prevent us from doing something that could be rewarding. Because fear is the underlying cause of many other negative emotions, it's useful to ask yourself what you're afraid of whenever you're feeling sad, angry, jealous or guilty.
Happiness
Happiness is considered a positive emotion, and it comes from having our needs met. If you're happy, it's a good indication that things are going well for you and you feel fulfilled. Being unhappy lets you know that on some level, you think something is missing. However, don't confuse feeling happy with feeling content or comfortable, which could mean you're stuck in a rut and not achieving as much as you can.
Passion
Passion is an indication that you're excited about something, and it can help you determine what will make you happy and what will drive you to achieve. Passion is considered a positive emotion, but the flip side is that intense passion can cause people to act irrationally and sometimes destructively. Keep it in check by focusing it on pursuits and endeavors that will help others as well as yourself.
Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful positive emotion that shows you what you're thankful for. Feeling grateful tends to put you in an uplifting frame of mind and often brings you more things to be grateful about.
