Accepting Your Feelings

I’ve heard it said that we are feeling beings living in an unfeeling World.  I don’t believe that’s true, at least not the last part.  I would argue the opposite.  Our World is full of feelings, of suffering and loss, love and redemption, anger and fear.  We are often bombarded with the feelings of others, drowning in our own feelings, and trying desperately to fight off all the thoughts surrounding feelings.  Trying to look “normal”, act “normal”, and pretend everything is fine. 

I would consider myself overly empathetic.  I’m a great friend to cry with, or laugh with, or share a great story with.  I’m all in from beginning to end.  But, that can leave me completely spent at the end of the day.  Often desperate to numb the feelings, dull the sensation so it will go away.

Accepting my feelings was a recent revelation to me.  I had never considered letting my feelings come and letting them go.  I don’t in fact have to be swept away by it all.  I used to think that if I started crying I would never stop.  I would work to compose myself when I felt like I might cry.  I didn’t know how to accept my feelings with compassion for myself.  This is still rather new for me to practice, but the revelation was marvelous on its own.

I am slowly learning to accept my feelings.  To just breathe and bear witness to them.  I still have to fight against the negative thoughts that I have about emotions.  I am in this totally new space where I am trusting that I have what I need, that I am enough, and that the difficult feelings will pass. 

Acceptance of others and their feelings seems so natural.  Of course, I can understand why someone experiencing loss would be grieving, or a person who just landed their dream job would be exciting.  My head knows this is true for others, but for some reason my dialogue with myself is naturally critical.  It is only through observation that I have found freedom.  Observing that I am being too critical with myself has allowed me to have compassion for myself and for others.  It is truly amazing what acceptance can allow.

I am working very hard to not numb myself, to witness my feelings, and to breathe through it all.  I invite you to do the same.  Accept where you are today.  Know you are doing the best that you can right now.  Remember, when you numb your feelings, you numb the good and the bad. Enjoy your emotions, they are a gift that will help guide you if you are willing to listen.  We are all feeling beings in a feeling World, so be kind to everyone. Love~Erin