Giving all that's true a seat at the table.
I'm writing you from underneath a cozy comforter at my sister's house in my hometown of Durango, Colorado.
Today is Thanksgiving in the US, and I'm wishing you a meaningful day if it's a holiday you celebrate.
This time of year can bring up a lot of different emotions that are all true at the same time.
Hope.
Sadness.
Love.
Connection.
Loneliness.
Grief.
Peace.
Overwhelm.
Joy.
Worry.
What are you feeling today?
Can you take a few moments to allow yourself to feel those emotions without making them wrong or right?
Allowing them to be just as they are.
My coach Val often starts our group calls with this brilliant question: "What's the weather inside of you like?"
Today, as I look at the sun peeking over the mountain, I'd answer with: "a wintry mix."
There's a lot of pain right now - in me, in many of the people I love, in communities I'm part of and care about.
I find myself thinking a lot about how I can give that pain a seat at the table alongside other emotions too.
Yesterday, while driving around my hometown and crying to a sad song, I asked myself how I might choose to be thankful too.
Not in a way that bypasses or covers over the pain, but right up next to it.
Just another seat at the table.
I imagine my table with seats for pain, heartbreak, gratitude, worry, joy, excitement, fear, playfulness, anger, irritation, envy.
I don't know what that seating chart would look like...! 😳
Maybe you have lots of different feelings sitting at your table today too.
Are you willing to make room for them?
Can you be gentle and compassionate with yourself when so much is true right now?
One of my favorite poems touches on this idea so beautifully.
The Guest House by Rumi
“This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.”
I hope you know how grateful I am for you. Thank you for being part of my community and for reading this blog right now.
Your time, energy, and attention matters and I don't take it lightly that you've chosen to share them with me. Thank you.
I'm wishing you spaciousness, ease, and gentle compassion as you make room for all that's true for you right now.
With love,
Stacy
Quote and image by Sharon Salzberg (@sharonsalzberg), posted by the Center for Mindfulness and Justice
