I’ve just left Rome, and though I spoke through a trans- lator, I am very clear that emotion was being expressed in the room. Just as E.E. Cummings knew that feeling is integral to relationships, we know that the expression and recognition of feelings is a major factor in conversa- tional competence. This column explores the importance of expressing feeling and thinking. THINKING AND FEELING Meetings facilitate reflecting, planning, problem solving, constructing, and building community. None of us are cognitive machines, processing only logic and analysis. Decisions are often informed by gut reasoning and feelings. Too often I have seen a group member temporarily overcome with sadness or discomfort, and the group tries to either comfort the person (“It’s all right, dear”) or withdraw. Both