"IN IT"

Springtime can be invigorating. Yet it is also a time for reflection, new beginnings and sometimes regret. We have all been there, right? Last night I went to bed thinking about all that I have to do in the coming months and why there are not enough hours in the day to reach my deadline. This started me thinking about all the disappointments I have endured in the past couple of months.

Some days I wake up excited and energized. In love with this great big world, and almost seeing it through the eyes of a child. Times like that are so blissful, yet fleeting. That may sound depressing but it is true. When we are happy, joyous, and even content it is never stable. This is life folks. Whats important in knowing and accepting that, is that it is OK, and learning how to navigate through it can be fun. I spent the last 18 months studying Positive Psychology. One of the most freeing moments for me was learning it is alright to fall apart, show our "dark side," or just withdraw briefly.

I have made a conscious effort, when someone is having a bad day, to not quickly say, "Look at the bright side." or "Every dark could has a sliver lining." Not that I ever say either of those phrases, but you get the picture. I have learned, not to say, "Don't Cry." That is hands down, probably the worst one, yet we have all found ourselves at one point or another, interrupting someones process by that statement. Sometimes we just need to be in it. To absorb and process it, whatever "IT" is. When we are in the throws of "IT," No one wants to hear any of those phrases, for at that time they almost sound insulting and can really make someone upset or even angry. On the other hand, we must not dwell in it for too long. When we have accepted that this is just a small bump in the road, most of the time we can just move along. So, no shame in having moments of weakness, mini breakdowns, temper tantrums, and the like, as long as you can come back up to zero within a reasonable amount of time. Vent away, as long as no one gets hurt. We can remember the feeling of being upset when it comes, and not all the time, but some of the time we can counteract it. And if we just have to be there, that is absolutely fine!