Quote:
“You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.” ~ Pema Chödrön
My thoughts:
It’s Spring in Texas!
Which, let’s be honest, basically means we fluctuate between potential lows in the 40s in the morning and then whiplash to the mid 80s (or higher) in the afternoon. There are MANY jokes about the seasons where I live.
“We’ve got three seasons in Texas. Summer, Kinda Summer, and three weeks in January where you can wear a sweater without sweating.”
“Welcome to Texas in March! Winter is a 6am. Spring starts at 10. Summer begins at 2pm, and Fall begins at 5. DRESS ACCORDINGLY!”
And the good ole tried and true, “If you don’t like the weather just wait a minute, it’ll change!”
I’ve recently coined the phrase word Sprummer© for this time of year.
We don’t know how to dress.
Flannels and winter coats, or shorts and sandals?
We’re confused about our coffee.
It’s 10am, summer is coming, should I get it iced or hot?
And the allergies, OH THE ALLERGIES!
In large part due to the fluctuating weather, sometimes humidity, mostly dry air, AND THE CEDAR…Central Texas is home to some of the worst environmental allergies in the country.
It’s exhausting.
It’s also a great lesson in patience.
The weather can be unpredictable, and it’s always changing, kinda like our emotions and moods. If we take Pema Chödrön’s advice we can navigate all that shifting around by grounding ourselves in the beautiful impermanence that is the sky. We hold it all in tension, knowing the scorching heat of anger and the overcast gloomy cloud of sadness can be replaced at any moment. We are NOT to be defined by the emotions and moods that come over us, but perhaps like emotional meteorologists, we can identify what’s happening and track its trajectory until it’s gone from our view.
And what we are left with is the awe inspiring, breathtaking view of the present moment, where the sunset mimics the red clay below as it gives way to wide open blues of the sky.
Intention:
Join me in this intention:
Today I will honor my emotional state
and let it move through me like clouds in the sky.
Meditation:
Imagine yourself standing on a peaceful beach. Waves lap gently at the shore. Now, imagine emotions as waves rolling in from the vast ocean. Notice the different emotions – joy might be a playful wave, anger a crashing surge, sadness a slow, rolling tide.
Observe each wave of emotion without judgment. Don't try to push them away or hold onto them. Simply acknowledge their presence. See what colors they might have, what textures they hold.
Notice the physical sensations in your body with each emotion. Does your heart beat faster with anger? Does your stomach clench with anxiety? Simply observe these sensations without judgment.
As a wave of emotion crests, instead of being swept away by it, imagine yourself meeting it with kindness. You might offer the emotion a hand, a listening ear. Ask yourself:
"What message is this emotion trying to tell me?"
Is anger highlighting a boundary that needs to be set? Is sadness a sign you need rest or time for self-care? Thank the emotion for its message. Even difficult emotions arise to serve a purpose.
Now, visualize the waves of emotion receding back into the ocean. They may return, but for now, there is a sense of calm.
Focus on your breath.
Feel the peace and stillness within yourself.
Cultivation:
One of the best ways to cultivate emotional awareness in yourself is to notice emotions in others by mindfully noticing and not judging. When we are able to recognize emotions, feelings, and moods in others it becomes easier to recognize similarities in our own emotional landscape.
Be an active listener: Pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues when someone is talking to you. Ask clarifying questions and show genuine interest.
Recognize emotions in others: Observe facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice to understand how others might be feeling.
Develop empathy: Try to see things from other people's perspectives. Consider their experiences and feelings. For a deeper look at the nuances of empathy, please check out my podcast Empathy &.
Appreciation:
Think about a time you felt a strong emotion, whether positive or negative.
What did you learn about yourself or the situation because of that emotion?
If you experienced joy, what sparked it and who were you with?
If you felt sadness, did it help you appreciate something else more?
Perhaps a moment of anger sparked necessary action?
Or maybe a moment of rational fear kept you safe?
Express gratitude for the ability to feel such a wide range of emotions that enrich your life experiences!