A reminder I needed
Today, I bring to you something that I have needed over the past few weeks. Something that has helped me move through deep grief and other heavy emotions. I've shared these steps before and yet returning to these tools helped me so much in this painful time that I wanted to remind you.
I needed this reminder as I faced the death of of a dear friend. Someone whom I known for almost 35 years. As I returned to my hometown this past weekend for the service, it was as if I was mourning my pre-teen and teen years. Everywhere I looked, every conversation I had was a reminder of this time in my life. I welcomed this awareness of the laughter, the uncertainty, the confusion, the insecurity, the pains, the falling in love for the first time to pure freedom (with a sprinkle of rebellion) of my youth. This sadness hit me like a ton of bricks and I had to stop just to catch my breath. When I felt my whole body contracting with news of this loss, I also felt the invitation. An invitation to be with what IS, on a whole new level. I also know that I would not be able to face this loss with an open heart if I hadn't been practicing these tools for years. Without a doubt, I would have shut down. Instead, I have an open heart and curiosity around the lessons available to me. I have so much to integrate from this loss and this time in my life and I know I would not be able to do this without these tools.
You too will inevitably experience sudden deep loss and need this reminder. So here it is. Save this, write it down somewhere and better yet practice it with any emotion that moves through you. My hope is that you too can face life's pain with an open heart.
The steps:
Create space to feel (privacy, tissues, journal, candle etc.)
Sit with your hand on your heart and breathe to soften your body
Bring your awareness to your body where the emotion is causing
sensation
Be with the sensation without judgement (It's not bad, you are not bad,
it just IS)
Notice any story that the mind wants to tell and lovingly bring your
awareness back into your body to be with the sensation of the
emotion.
Know that this practice is a way to honor your life, your pain and your
experiences.