Can we hold emotions of fear, anger, sadness, disappointment alongside emotions of gratitude, joy and excitement? I have been observing my own emotions and observing and listening to the emotions expressed by others throughout November. Frankly, it had me wondering how we hold all the thoughts, perspectives, emotions, etc. in a way that supports a healthy connection to ourselves and to each other. We have several holidays coming up between November and December! And then last week the weather showed us its own extremes and swift changes. On Wednesday, I was out riding my bike through beautiful terrain with a friend and then on Friday I was in my house watching it snow all day long! Thank you, Central Pennsylvania weather for this valuable lesson of how things can change quickly and vary greatly and still be something I can appreciate and find gratitude in.
Mindfulness practices like RAIN from Tara Brach (https://www.tarabrach.com/rain/) and Soften, Soothe, Allow from Kristin Neff (https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-practices/) can be supportive when we are spending time sitting with our own difficult and/or challenging emotions. When I sat in meditation on Thursday, I felt gratitude for friends, and the ability to get outside to engage in healthy exercise and some late garden clean up in the yard. On Friday, I woke up to snow falling. My morning meditation included some focus on cold, uncomfortableness and sadness around the weather change. Afterwards I sat a bit longer and silently watched the snow fall. I noted how my body and mind were responding, in that moment, to the awareness of really liking the unexpected sunny day and the ability to ride my bicycle one more time this late into the year. I also noted the automatic reaction of not liking the thoughts of cold, snowy weather coming seemingly out of nowhere. I noted my mindset of “too soon”, “not now”. As I continued to watch the snow fall on the trees and ground, I was able to experience the beauty of the snow. My thoughts and body expanded, loosened and softened as I allowed myself to take in the beauty of the blanket of snow.
My understanding and renewed perspective around having varied and sometimes conflicting emotions is that the weather has much to teach us. The weather can change in a moment, sometimes expected, sometimes unexpected, sometimes it’s a smooth shift and sometimes it comes in overwhelming ways. Often, this is how I experience emotions. Through experience, from practice and from observing the weather, I know that change is to be expected. In the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program, we teach that change is inevitable. We engage in formal and informal meditation to explore how we respond to change. We use that information to help us respond rather than react to change.
I use my mindfulness practices to support me through whatever presents itself in the present moment. Through my practices of breathing, settling, allowing and being curious, I can find helpful ways to navigate and ride the waves of emotion. This comes in the form of formal mindful movement or formal sitting or walking meditation. At times, my practice can be more informal as I ride the waves of emotions/the changing weather systems. I might be found dancing and singing to music that meets the mood. I also appreciate watching movies or reading poetry that meets my mood. I have a few friends who listen while my words overflow like a downpour of rain or lava from a volcano. These can also be useful ways to be curious and further explore my emotions.
Navigating strong, difficult or highly varied emotions can be hard work. When we are able to explore and understand our emotions (i.e. “tend and be-friend”), we gain wisdom. The hard work is worthwhile. I hope that my observations about what we can learn from the weather will be useful for you as you navigate your own emotions this month. Perhaps the resources I cited or the practices I’ve shared will be helpful to you in recognizing, allowing and accepting any emotions that you note arising for you this month.
Please note that due to the American holiday of Thanksgiving, Monthly Mindfulness at EUCC will meet the second Sunday of the month, in person or via Zoom on December 8th. RSVP for Zoom link: (https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/events).
Consider contacting me for individual mentorship: (https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/general-6) to assist you in exploring and growing a mindfulness practice in ways that contribute to health and well-being.
Wishing you well as you contemplate present moment emotions and practice engaging with them in useful ways. May you find peace and ease as we move towards the end of 2024.
May you find moments of gratitude within the ever-changing weather systems life,
Karen
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