Daily Inspiration: Dealing With Difficult Emotions

When we feel happy,

Well,

Happiness usually takes care of itself.

But how about when we come up against more difficult emotions,

More unpleasant ones?

What do we do with that?

There are three ways that I've found that People typically deal with unpleasant emotions.

We might be largely unaware of what we're feeling,

Not paying attention or ignoring what we're feeling inside.

We might resist,

Try to push away,

Get rid of,

Stop feeling what we're feeling.

Or third,

Sometimes we get swallowed up in our emotions,

Gripped,

Swept away.

I know all these things have happened to me sometimes.

They happen to all of us.

But here's the thing.

There's another path that can bring more ease.

It's not something we're typically taught.

If anything,

We're often taught to put our emotions away.

And we know how well that works.

When we can learn to both turn toward our emotions with curiosity and compassion.

And at the same time,

Take a little half step back to see what's arising from a more spacious,

Aware viewing point.

We're able to meet and greet these unpleasant daily visitors in ways that can help support us and see us through.