Backyard Musings
Take a little meander through my backyard... and I share a revelation I had along the way.
"One thing you can't hide - is when you're crippled inside." ~John Lennon
As I was picking up dog "presents" in the backyard yesterday and muttering under my breath about it, I had a flash of insight.
There are moments in life when we are presented with a steaming pile of poo.
And then I had another moment of clarity. Clean-up serves a purpose. Stepping in it later would be far worse. If we disregard or ignore it, the problem becomes magnitudes worse.
Perspective shift: Tending to the task while it's manageable and only a slight inconvenience in your day lets you get out ahead of it before it turns into a massive, smelly chore.
In the same way, dealing with uncomfortable emotions as they arise offers you an opportunity to notice, be curious, and know your pain points better. Simply observing when you feel activated or overwhelmed gives you the freedom to embrace an enlightened version of yourself.
By not hiding from or ignoring emotions, you're able to unburden yourself and release guilt, fear, shame, sadness, or anger. We need to feel it to heal it. Acknowledging and accepting your feelings honors the process of being able to move them through you.
This is the first step towards self-compassion. Acceptance will liberate you.
My question to you: When life gets "messy,” do you tend to sweep your emotions under the rug?
Insight to Action: Whenever you're feeling overwhelmed, practice R.A.I.N. - recognize, allow, investigate, and nourish. Be open to your present-moment awareness so you can fully embrace and integrate it into your human experience.