Whatever it is; grief, depression, heartache, disappointment, anger, jealousy, sadness, guilt, fear or loneliness, SIT WITH IT.
Pause and fully experience the emotion without trying to fix, judge, or run away from “it”. Observe it with curiosity, then ask, “What is this feeling trying to teach me.”
When we sit with our uncomfortable emotions rather than suppress them, we gain insight into our unmet needs, personal triggers, and our behaviour patterns.
There’s purpose, wisdom and healing when we surrender and allow those feelings to guide us and just be what they’re supposed to be.
The clouds can only hold so much pressure before they burst and rain falls.
We’re similar, we can only take so much before the pressure builds and we burst (metaphorically). But there’s lots we can do before it gets to that point; ~ learning to say no, ~practicing meditation and mindfulness, ~ engaging in creative expression, ~ regular self-care (including proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise) ~ nurturing an attitude of gratitude, ~ journaling, ~ talking to someone, and ~ setting boundaries will help.
We’re basically beautiful little rain clouds. We have to take care of ourselves so we’re prepared to weather the storms that come with this extraordinary human journey. And, when things do get too heavy, you’re allowed to let them go.
Sunflowers are tall, sun-loving plants with large yellow, sun-like heads blooming in the summer and late fall.
Bluebells are tiny, slim, shade-loving, woodland, purpley-blue wildflowers with delicate, bell-shaped heads, preferring to make their appearance in the spring.
These flowers are very different, yet both, possess their own kind of beauty and add colour and life to the landscape where they blossom and grow.
You also possess your own kind of beauty, and add colour and life to your tribe, community and the landscape where you grow.
Embrace your colourful and authentic self, quirks and all.
Our human garden needs you to bloom into your own kind of beautiful.
Just out here, living my island life, watching waves roll in and out, oohing and awing at big forest trees, wandering along river pathways, watching bugs do their thing, feeling the sun, the wind and the rain, kiss my skin (because this is the West Coast and the weather changes every 20 minutes.😊). And, I love it and I’m really, really, grateful for it🙏.
There’s joy, peace, and healing to be found doing simple things, in ordinary places.
Finding happiness doesn’t have to be so difficult, it’s right there, under your nose, in those simple moments and those little things.
Be so grounded and at peace with who you are, that no outside validation or recognition is require.
When we make choices or take action based on the expectation that others will validate our worth, we set ourselves up for disappointment, and, we often end up making the wrong decisions.
Make choices and take action, based on what you know is authentically right for you, rather than societal expectations or the quest to please others. This includes; how you dress, where you pray, how you vote, who you love, how you live, and saying “no” to the things that compromise your values and ethics, and saying “yes” to, and standing up for, what YOU believe in.
You know who you are and what you believe in. Stop chasing approval or going along with “it” to please others.
If you’re relying on others to validate your worth, you’re also giving them the power to take it away.
When the big things become overwhelming or chaotic, focus on the little things, the things you’re grateful for and bring you joy.
It might be a sunrise, a great cup of coffee, the view from your favourite spot, your favourite furry friend in your lap, a warm bath, slowly inhaling fresh air, a walk along the ocean, a ride or stroll along your favourite forest path, seeing snow drops and crocuses bloom in spring, your health, your home, your loved ones. Whatever it is, wherever you are, focus on what feels good, what’s working and what brings you joy.
You don’t have to calm the chaos. You only have to focus on bringing calm to yourself. The chaos will pass.
Clearly, adulting is not working,(anywhere in the world).
So let’s put it all down, stop talking and start laughing, stop listening to the news and instead, take time to listen to birds chirping, children playing, rain falling, rivers flowing or waves crashing. Stop scrolling, and take a break from the noise, the politics, the anger, the chaos; and, pull out some crayons, Lego, or play-dough, or go outside and make a tree-fort or make some mud, blow some bubbles, or watch bugs do bug stuff, and remember what it’s like to be playful, creative, happy, connected and alive.
Let’s all just take a break from whatever “This” is.
In the end, nothing will hurt more than; ~ the paths not taken, ~ words unspoken, ~ wounds still aching, ~ moments lost, ~ joy never found, ~ a life not lived, ~ love not shared,
We’re here to take a few chances, have a colourful adventure or two, learn about ourselves, the planet and feel the highs and lows of this pretty amazing and unique human journey we’re on together.
Yup, your heart will be broken, you’ll shed some tears, but, they’ll help you grow. You’ll make a lot of mistakes, you’re supposed to, you’ll learn from them and you’ll move on.
You’ll get lost over and over again, but, you’ll figure it out and find your way back. You’ll get hurt, don’t let that stop you. You’ll fall a few times, and, you’ll get back up.
You will be both tutor and student, continually; learning and teaching; hurting and healing; loving and grieving, all at the same time.
You’ll question your beliefs, the loyalty of others and the reason you exist at all. Each fall, every adventure, every mistake, every success and failure is a step closer to figuring it all out.
Don’t waste it. Be brave, bold, and curious and fully own this thing called life. This is your adventure. Stay true to your path, let others do the same.
And, when your journey is over, I hope your knees buckle, you fall to the ground, with a big crooked grin on your wind kissed face, a heart full of happy memories, and, your final thought is “wow, that was amazing, absolutely frickin’ amazing.
YOU’RE NOT SELFISH. You’re allowed to say no, not just when you’re too busy, but, when what’s being asked of you; ~ is unrealistic, ~ violates your core values, ~ violates your personal boundaries, ~ will affect your well-being, ~ is unnecessary or unhealthy, ~ drains your financial resources, ~ depletes your energy, ~ feels uncomfortable, ~ makes you feel guilty, Or, ~ your gut tells you a situation is wrong.
These are situations you might want to say NO to.
We teach people how to treat us, and we build our self esteem, when we set boundaries and when we’re living our values. This isn’t selfish it’s necessary.
Your time, energy and financial resources are assets to be invested in the things that matter.
You, your dreams, your well-being, your life, your values, your loved ones, matter. Invest in that.
Your wounded soul is still shining, your broken heart still beating. Look at you, still standing, after all the storms you’ve been through! Wow, just Wow! 💛☀️💛 There’s more light in you, then you ever imagined! Now, keep shining, and, Keep going!
The Whimsey Angel 