When Sadness Comes…

When sadness comes, hold it lightly.

We want to change it, fix it, make it stop.  “GO AWAY,” we scream.

We think we have no right to it and frantically remake our gratitude lists hoping this will sear the sadness right out of us.

Our plan of attack is to numb, duck and hide with food, friends, lovers, husbands, running, wine, mothering, fixing, doing, working, shoulds.  All weapons drawn to freeze the sadness out.  And still, sometimes, sadness finds us.  It pulls up a seat and makes a home in our heart.

To figure it out it feels impossible and imperative.

Instead, hold it gently.

No fixing, no denying, no “I shouldn’t be feeling this way because I have so much.”  Life is not linear or binary.  You can have a sparkling good life and still be sad.

Hold sadness lightly then ask, “What’s for lunch?”

Hold it tenderly and plan Thanksgiving dinner.

Sit in the sadness and go for a walk, talk to a friend, read a book, draw a warm bath.  Sadness does not have to be everything yet when ignored, that’s exactly what it becomes.  TWEET THIS.

We are multi-emotional beings.  To try and only be happy is to deny our essence.  Sadness comes and it goes on it’s own accord.  Our only job is to let it.

When sadness arrives, let it have a place by the hearth in your heart.

Hold it lightly.  Hold it with incredible love.  Hold it with the door open to let it come and go.

Hold it without the need to change and then watch as it does.

Big love,

Jamie

Self CompassionjamieComment