Jackal Dictionary

Part of cultivating compassion is learning to hear the feelings and needs people are expressing regardless of the words they use. This dictionary is meant to help you in that process. If you are having difficulty guessing the feelings and needs behind someone's words, you can enter the words or phrase into the Jackal Dictionary search engine. A list of possible feelings and needs will pop up for you to consider. If you don't find a phrase you are looking for, email it to us and we will add it to the dictionary.

Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I shouldn't be so emotional!

Feelings: fear, shame
Needs: expression, clarity

Feelings: fear, shame
Needs: expression, clarity

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I shouldn't risk failing. I probably can't do it anyway.

Feelings: frustrated, depressed, tired
Needs: competency, purpose, autonomy

Feelings: frustrated, depressed, tired
Needs: competency, purpose, autonomy

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I shouldn't be so fearful!

Feelings: disappointed, frustrated
Needs: peace, competence, confidence

Feelings: disappointed, frustrated
Needs: peace, competence, confidence

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I should exercise more!

Feelings: disappointed, confused, guilty
Needs: health, consistency, self-trust, vibrancy, strength, beauty

Feelings: disappointed, confused, guilty
Needs: health, consistency, self-trust, vibrancy, strength, beauty

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I should be achieving more!

Feelings: panicky, restless, guilty
Needs: belonging, contribution, meaning, acceptance

Feelings: panicky, restless, guilty
Needs: belonging, contribution, meaning, acceptance

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I should be able to understand everything.

Feelings: worried, overwhelmed, uneasy
Needs: security, competence, order

Feelings: worried, overwhelmed, uneasy
Needs: security, competence, order

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I should be able to let go of events from childhood.

Feelings: discouraged, burnt out, 
Needs: healing, growth, hope, peace, wholeness

Feelings: discouraged, burnt out, 
Needs: healing, growth, hope, peace, wholeness

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I said I'm sorry!

Feelings: defensive, insecure, worried
Needs: connection, harmony, acceptance

Feelings: defensive, insecure, worried
Needs: connection, harmony, acceptance

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I need to make everything right.

Feelings: worried, concerned
Needs: need to serve, integrity

Feelings: worried, concerned
Needs: need to serve, integrity

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I love you so much! I'd die without you!

Feelings: joyful, alive
Needs: love, connection

Feelings: joyful, alive
Needs: love, connection

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I just have to carry on. It's my responsibility

Feelings: tired, gloomy, overwhelmed
Needs: security, respect, honor

Feelings: tired, gloomy, overwhelmed
Needs: security, respect, honor

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I have no value.

Feelings: grief, disappointment, loneliness, shame
Needs: purpose, contribution, meaning, community, self-connection

Feelings: grief, disappointment, loneliness, shame
Needs: purpose, contribution, meaning, community, self-connection

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I have no purpose.

Feelings: confused, depressed, disconnected, hopeless
Needs: purpose, meaning, belonging, appreciation, contribution

Feelings: confused, depressed, disconnected, hopeless
Needs: purpose, meaning, belonging, appreciation, contribution

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I have just been dumped on!

Feelings: angry, overwhelmed
Needs: choice, respect, consideration

Feelings: angry, overwhelmed
Needs: choice, respect, consideration

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I have been abused!

Feelings: angry, hurt, frightened, resentful
Needs: healing, nurturing, safety, respect

Feelings: angry, hurt, frightened, resentful
Needs: healing, nurturing, safety, respect

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I feel undermined!

Feelings: angry, resentful, shocked, frustrated
Needs: honesty, collaboration, trust, support

Feelings: angry, resentful, shocked, frustrated
Needs: honesty, collaboration, trust, support

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I feel so abandoned!

Feelings: terrified, hurt, lonely, sad, bewildered
Needs: reassurance, belonging, connection, support

Feelings: terrified, hurt, lonely, sad, bewildered
Needs: reassurance, belonging, connection, support

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I feel like everything is my fault!

Feelings: shame, hopeless
Needs: acceptance, empathy, support, mutual responsibility

Feelings: shame, hopeless
Needs: acceptance, empathy, support, mutual responsibility

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I feel humiliated!

Feelings: embarrassed, ashamed, angry, dejected
Needs: respect, equity, compassion, consideration

Feelings: embarrassed, ashamed, angry, dejected
Needs: respect, equity, compassion, consideration

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Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart Jackal Dictionary Wise Heart

I feel helpless!

Feelings: scared, despair, frustration
Needs: support, empathy, agency

Feelings: scared, despair, frustration
Needs: support, empathy, agency

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