Do feelings matter?

Mariam was told, "Feelings don't matter."
The Rabbi considered that they really do matter. 
He said to Mariam, "Feelings are the indicators that something is happening."

And if we don't keep self awareness as to what is happening within ourselves, how will we be able to respond appropriately and with growing maturity to the society about us?

Our feelings, our emotions are an accurate barometer when something is going wrong - they can warn us that something either within or without ourselves needs to change in order for us to come back to inner harmony again.