How can we be happy when we are struggling?
.. When we are in emotional turmoil and pain?
.. When our thinking and our body feel burdened and heavy?
.. When we withdraw from others and the world because we hurt inside?
We can’t…
If we think we can turn on happiness like flicking a switch…
If we expect someone to come and rescue us…
If we think things will be better – if only…
Then we have joined the storybook world of fairy tales, rainbows and bluebirds of happiness.
Yet most of us do it all time. Its part of being human and our ego’s way of dealing with pain. Our ego is the survivor and protector part of us. It would much rather escape into wishful thinking than have to face being vulnerable or feeling more hurt.
No wonder Walt Disney is so popular with grown ups!
So we focus on all the things we wish could be different. We wish this suffering would go away. We dream about how things might be or could have been.
And in doing so, we deny this moment and create more stories to keep us exactly where we are – still wishing for happiness.
The only moment for living is now. And now is the time for accepting what is alive in us … and to start to take small steps towards being happy.
The first step is to accept what we are feeling. By acknowledging and accepting that negative feelings are a part of life … and its okay to have them … we allow ourselves to begin the unburdening and the healing. The more we resist these uncomfortable feelings, the more resistance and tension builds up within us – mentally, emotionally and physically. Until it is released and healed, we will find ourselves getting caught up in cycles of inner struggle and the world of Disney, and we become physically weak and ill.
Sit comfortably. Take a few moments to breathe fully and connect with the sensations in your body…. What is alive in your right now? Your thoughts? … Your feelings?
Give these feelings… thoughts… and sensations… space.
Notice where there is tension or contraction.
This is resistance to what is.
Breathe into it.
Allow it to soften and expand.
Give it space.
Embrace it.
It is real.
It is you.
Do not reject it.
This is a precious part of who you are.
There is nothing wrong with it.
Give yourself tender care for this vulnerable part of you.
Ask – what does this part of me yearn for? … attention … recognition … understanding … acceptance … tenderness … love
Let it show you what it needs.
That feeling is deep within you.
Connect to this living energy and embrace it all.
Trust that in doing so you allow the loving energy to flow and release whatever is ready to be let go of.
Wishful thinking and waiting for rainbows and bluebirds may make us feel better for a while … but our body and soul know that it is fleeting.
If you are experiencing one of life’s lows, perhaps it is time to reconnect to your very being and really feel all of the aliveness within you, instead of rejecting it and wishing it would go away.
Acceptance opens up real steps towards happiness.
Namaste
This is so good Val! x
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Thank you Julie! I still love bluebirds 😉
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Haha that’s good! 😉 Fun that we both had posts related to bluebirds today!
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Thanks, Val….words I needed to hear today.
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Glad it resonated with you. xo
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Val, your post is a balm to my sad soul. Thank you for being so kind and loving. I needed to read your post today. ♥
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Thank you Yvonne. May your soul lighten as time passes and we enter Spring. xo
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“The only moment for living is now. And now is the time for accepting what is alive in us … and to start to take small steps towards being happy.” Love this! We have all the power.
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Thanks for your insight Jill. We forget that the power is within us all 🙂
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Lovely. Sigh. Breathing deeply. Pausing. Breathing deeply.
Thank you for the pause.
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Its so lovely to share this moment with you Louise ❤
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Embrace all with joy . . . anything can be a gift of gold in disguise.
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So true Nancy … but look out for leprechauns today!
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LOL! After posting that quote, I thought I should have added something about leprechauns!
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Yes, it is all about accepting where we are right at this moment. Thank you.
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Thank you Erica … Gentle reminders nourish the soul.
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Your article is a wonderful meditation in itself Val; sometimes reading wise words is sufficient. H ❤
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Thank you Hariod for your kind words. Gratitude to you my friend!
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I sometimes think we waste a lot of energy looking/wishing/hoping for some sort of big happiness miracle when if we just paused, as you suggest, it can be found in little increments. Brilliant post!
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Thank you Julie. So glad it resonates with you 🙂
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“Resistance is futile!” Thanks, Val, really great guided meditation steps to awareness. Gonna print this one out. 😉
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Love the message … Not so much the Borg Eliza! Glad this is a keeper for you !
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A timely post for the beginning of Spring Val, helping us connect to inner our happiness through letting go and acceptance. 🙂
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Thanks Karen! Spring is a great time to bring fresh perspectives 🙂
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Wonerful meditative words Val 🙂
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Thank you Robert for pausing here. 🙂
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