Is there such a thing as a feeling and emotion focused person? Like, I don’t want to do research or anything because it doesn’t interest me. But I do find emotions and feelings interesting. I also try to come up with different subject matter, but I always come back to the topic of feelings and emotions, and our relationship to them.

I talk to people daily about how our thoughts influence our feelings which influence our behavior, which influence our thoughts. and that whole cycle and relationship. I talk to people daily about how our feelings and thoughts aren’t always fact or truth. I talk to people daily about how it is helpful to honor our experience, whatever that brings. I talk to people daily about how our feelings are valid and the importance of meeting each moment with compassion and openness. It is cool to watch them make that shift within themselves of the understanding that we don’t have to believe or hold on to every thought or feeling that runs through our mind.

Today, I am compelled, in the spirit of self-disclosure to share what that looks like for me.

For the past few weeks, I have had this deep sense of feeling inadequate. It has decided to hang out … I have noticed it, and been mindful of it. But it hasn’t left, and I watch my mind wish it would. But it won’t and that is okay. See, in the past, I would let this desire for the feeling of inadequacy to go away dictate my actions for as long as it chose to stay. In an effort to control it, or make it go away, I would act in ways to prove that I was inadequate. Then once I proved I was inadequate, then at least I had a reason to feel inadequate.

The critical shift here is this: I have accepted that there are times in life where I will feel inadequate, insecure, and vulnerable, and that is okay. It doesn’t mean those things are true, and I can choose my response to those feelings.

And in the moments where I am insecure or vulnerable, that is also okay. It doesn’t mean that something bad is about to happen or that I need to protect myself from something. It simply means that I need to take care of myself in these moments, do what I can to learn or grow, or ask for help if needed.

Avoiding feelings or experiences leads to deeper suffering. If we accept the experience as is, without judging it, it truly is not as “bad” as our mind makes it to be.

 

I am so grateful for this season.  I am honored that people trust me with their pain and tough seasons. There is not a moment where I do not experience gratitude and am humbled to be able to walk with people in these times. Life is so beautiful. I am thankful and truly blessed.

What would it be like if you accepted your current experience as it is right now, without judgement?

Can you find gratitude for your experience?

 

Be encouraged,

Rachael