Day 61 of 365 - Gratitude for Contrast
If you read yesterday's post you will recall that it leaned more toward darkness from different perspectives. As mentioned, I've begun making more of a practice of noticing where my feelings have landed in my body and acknowledging them, even if I can't quite name them. Then, I'm trying a breathing practice to feel more into them and to create space, loosen tension. It feels good.
Today has mostly been a gloriously sunny day. I was so inspired by the morning sunshine that I decided to put off my indoor chores. I got my lists ready, walked to the village retail area and did some more shopping for the holidays. It was very satisfying and a lot was accomplished. Everyone was so cheerful due to the influx of sunshine.
Life is full of contrasts. That is something I want to be more aware of, both the dark and the light. We need each of them to appreciate the other. Too often, our culture seems to demand that we focus only on the upbeat when interacting with others and that we should bury our sad or negative experiences, or at least reserve sharing them with a select few so that we don't upset anyone.
Ironically, most of the time people sense one another's discomforts even if no words are spoken about them. We are energy beings after all, and we project our emotional energy around us. I am fortunate to have a circle of friends who do count on one another for support when times are tough, as well as sharing in one another's joys.
As important as support from others can be, the deeper personal reflection is helpful too. It helps us to understand what we truly value and perhaps rearrange our priorities. To quote again from author Dawna Markova, "It begins as a reaching down into the dark of inertia as well as up and out toward the light."
Choosing this time in December, up to the Solstice return of the light, to reflect more on the impact of this years losses and grief does not mean I will not also seek joy during this time. My intention is to expand the range of my feeling, rather than keeping it confined to a tight little box. My hope is that this expansion will also result in feeling more joy as well as sorrow.
As such, choosing to get out into the sunlight this morning after having spent some time in reflection, provided me that contrast. Having enough compassion for myself to 'reach down' can give me more confidence to reach up and out.
I moved one of my plants recently to make space for Christmas decorations. It is now closer to a window and getting much more light. Already the leaves are turning toward and reaching for the light. They are looking greener and more vibrant.
I may not have noticed that contrast if I had not moved the plant from shadow to light. Our lives are like that too, and I am grateful to be aware of the contrast.
Today has mostly been a gloriously sunny day. I was so inspired by the morning sunshine that I decided to put off my indoor chores. I got my lists ready, walked to the village retail area and did some more shopping for the holidays. It was very satisfying and a lot was accomplished. Everyone was so cheerful due to the influx of sunshine.
Life is full of contrasts. That is something I want to be more aware of, both the dark and the light. We need each of them to appreciate the other. Too often, our culture seems to demand that we focus only on the upbeat when interacting with others and that we should bury our sad or negative experiences, or at least reserve sharing them with a select few so that we don't upset anyone.
Ironically, most of the time people sense one another's discomforts even if no words are spoken about them. We are energy beings after all, and we project our emotional energy around us. I am fortunate to have a circle of friends who do count on one another for support when times are tough, as well as sharing in one another's joys.
As important as support from others can be, the deeper personal reflection is helpful too. It helps us to understand what we truly value and perhaps rearrange our priorities. To quote again from author Dawna Markova, "It begins as a reaching down into the dark of inertia as well as up and out toward the light."
Choosing this time in December, up to the Solstice return of the light, to reflect more on the impact of this years losses and grief does not mean I will not also seek joy during this time. My intention is to expand the range of my feeling, rather than keeping it confined to a tight little box. My hope is that this expansion will also result in feeling more joy as well as sorrow.
As such, choosing to get out into the sunlight this morning after having spent some time in reflection, provided me that contrast. Having enough compassion for myself to 'reach down' can give me more confidence to reach up and out.
I moved one of my plants recently to make space for Christmas decorations. It is now closer to a window and getting much more light. Already the leaves are turning toward and reaching for the light. They are looking greener and more vibrant.
I may not have noticed that contrast if I had not moved the plant from shadow to light. Our lives are like that too, and I am grateful to be aware of the contrast.
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