While we’re big believers that happiness (for the most part!) is a choice — life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.
Lows happen to all of us.
Sometimes there isn’t even a reason we feel sad, anxious, angry or blah. Blame it on the moon, stars or waking up on the wrong side of the bed.
No matter why, it’s good to allow yourself to feel all you’re feeling — and keep in mind it’s only a mood or season.
Negative feelings always eventually give way to better ones, so it’s never a good idea to make life-changing decisions or take some drastic action when you’re in a bad feeling place.
It’s your birthright to experience emotions and it’s important to remember, they’re not who you are, they’re what you feel, so there’s no need to judge yourself for them either.
We’re human and experiencing disappointment, heartbreak, frustration and all of life’s lows are normal.
In fact, it’s healthy to allow negative emotions to surface rather than stuff them away.
Even a lot of doctors these days believe repressing emotions is bad for our bodies and contribute to disease — feelings of dis-ease.
So give yourself permission to feel those negative feelings, just don’t get stuck in them for too long.
The same way you should hang out with your Debbie Downer friend in small doses, it’s always a good idea to eventually say “night night” to bad feelings and choose to shift focus to something lighter and happier.
There’s a great poem by Rumi that talks about how to invite each emotion into your life like a guest into your home.
“Be grateful for their visit and recognize they’re here for a reason.” He says. “Entertain and talk to them. Get to know them, listen and learn why they’ve come into your life.”
The Guest House
This being human is a guesthouse.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
– Rumi
Ride your moods and own your emotions. Like Rumi says, welcome them like a guest into your home, get to know, listen and learn from them.
And then when the time is right … kindly bid them goodnight.
Be good to yourself today!
XO
Quote du jour
“After every storm, the sun will smile; for every problem, there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.” — William R. Alger
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