Do You Ever Admit To It?

Have you ever noticed how quickly we assume that if a person is not in a "positive" mood, then they are somehow wrong, bad, or inadequate? Society has led us to believe that feeling sad, angry, or any emotion that we consider ‘negative’ is bad.

This happened to me recently. My youngest son and family moved to Savannah for a new job. Watching the U-Haul drive away made me feel sad, bittersweet and melancholy. I was not in the mood to chat with people, and just wanted some time alone.

It is not only okay to not feel ‘okay,’ but it is essential. Allowing yourself not to feel 'okay' involves accepting all feelings, thoughts, or sensations, and sitting with them until they pass. Emotions only become stronger and more overwhelming if you try to avoid, suppress, or ignore them.

Tara Brach, a renown psychologist, author and teacher of emotional healing and spiritual awakening, suggests that when feeling distressed, place a hand on your heart and saying to yourself “it’s okay, sweetheart!”

Remember, no emotion is permanent. Anger and sadness, just like happiness and joy, come and go. We need to let ourselves experience painful feelings if we ever want to truly let them pass through us.

This Week's Focus:

This week if you are not 'okay,' take time to work through your emotions. If you notice someone else not being themselves, ask if they need something or just time to themselves. If the latter, give them time and check back in a couple of days. It's okay to not be okay, as long as it does not go on indefinitely.