Anxiety, Sadness, Anger: Finding Peace with Your Own Feelings

Photo of ranch dog with flowers - Augusta, Montana (2019). Copyright SJPhotography.

Anxiety, Sadness, Anger: Finding Peace with Your Own Feelings

We all go through times when we do not know what to do next. When there is fear, worry, fierce resistance to feeling and sharing the raw details of painful thoughts and emotions, revealing what scares us or feeling the full truth about our experiences, even to ourselves. Saying it out loud sometimes feels like we are telling a story and then who will believe us if the truth is turned into a fable or drama, where our fears are given a tepid pat on the head as solace. We search and try everything to get rid of the painful emotions and get back to a sense of equilibrium but who can we trust – when even our own minds and body are desperate to get away from itself. We have forgotten that love and the light of understanding are present in the rush of every feeling, thought, or emotion. It has been said that sunlight is the best disinfectant, and for the mind bringing all thoughts, fears, and painful feelings to the light of truth is how we heal, and how we begin to make peace with our own emotions. This is decision time to become a companion to yourself, a trusted, aware, open, and loving partner on the path through life or not. It is your opportunity to stand with yourself, with eyes wide open, and embrace your vast, and infinite being. 

Beauty is never seen, but every object is its footprint; love is never felt, but every feeling is its face; understanding is never known, but every thought shines with its light.

_Rupert Spira, “You Are the Happiness You Seek”

No one else has the power to validate you. No one else can make you feel small, wrong, different, or not enough unless you let them. Even if they try you can smile and say thank you. Their opinion of you is none of your business. It is time to stand up for – and – with yourself. To hearten the space where you live, where you breathe, where you work, play, and become. There are so many opportunities to offer love to yourself, and being truthful, kind, and loving to yourself as you keep opening back up to the world is a monumental achievement.

So much of our lives, thoughts, feelings, and experiences are hindered, shuttered, and closed off; shoved behind cupboards, under carpets, into the recesses and dark spaces of our minds and bodies. But they always return. Coming back at the most inopportune times. Arising again from triggering events to be seen, acknowledged, and recognized as the part of you that is still hurting, and seeking your allowing and accepting heart.

The cry we hear from deep in our hearts, comes from the wounded child within. Healing this inner child’s pain is the key to transforming anger, sadness, and fear.

_Thich Nhat Hanh, “The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation”