Let It Out . . . Let it Go September 21, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness.comments closed
Most of us experience the occasional down day.
The sun is always shining, but sometimes it is obscured by clouds.
Just as a rainy day can be a nice change of pace, so too can a gloomy mood.
Life is enhanced by the ebb and flow of emotions.
We appreciate our sunny dispositions more after a cloudy day . . . as long as we don’t get attached to the idea of being sad.
I read a story one day about puppies that had been mistreated. Images of the poor wee pups flooded into my brain.
The happiness felt moments earlier evaporated, replaced with overwhelming sadness. Tears poured down my face. I sobbed until the pain dissipated.
Once my tears stopped, I returned my attention to what I had been doing before seeing the story.
In other words, a sad thought entered my brain. The thought made my emotions switch from happy to sad. I allowed myself to feel that sadness.
Once I acknowledged the sadness, it left. It moved on.
And, this is the important part, I let it go.
I did not chase after it and bring it back. I let it go. I did not get attached to the idea of being sad. I let it go.
If I hadn’t read the story that morning, I wouldn’t have known about the poor puppies at all. Nothing in my life changed from the moment before I read about them until the moment after.
I was not being called upon to save them ~ they had already been rescued.
So, when the sadness started to dissipate on its own, I let it go so that I could get on with my day.
And the sun shone once more.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Quote: Be happy while you’re living, for you’re a long time dead. ~ Scottish Proverb
Spirit Lights The Way 