I have a Golden Retriever at home named Mr. Jones.  It strikes me that emotions are a lot like Golden Retrievers.  They want to be acknowledged, even welcomed.  They want to be recognized and fussed over—they want attention to be paid.  Then they tend to lie down in the corner and go to sleep.  A strong emotion doesn’t last, and if it does, it’s because you’re re-stimulating it by thinking the same thoughts again.  Think about something else and the feeling begins to quiet down.