It's been a wild weather week. First came the rain--days of rain. Then came the cold. My backyard is puddles of water and snow. Ice falls from trees and telephone lines. I worry about the green shoots in my flower beds. Yet it's out of my hands. Nature is a wonderful teacher--of patience, loss, resilience, and growth.
It's also been a wild week for my internal weather. I've seen the depths of sadness and the heights of joy. I've experienced fear and calm, frustration and contentment, exhaustion and creativity. Our emotions mimic patterns of weather. Some feelings stay longer, some visit briefly; some emotions we enjoy, others we dislike. But no weather is permanent, just like no feeling is final. Change is what we can count on.
I question my internal weather forecast. At times it's helpful to predict my emotions, if they might be strong and I might be tender. But that's merely a prediction. Who knows how I'll actually feel until the moment arrives? Again, it's out of my hands.
I chuckle when I read an incorrect right-now weather forecast. Like when the current status is rain, yet I see clear blue sky. The same happens with our internal weather. We assume we're fine when the actual feeling is sadness or frustration. We think we're fearful when the real emotion is excitement. We expect to be angry yet encounter empathy.
It's good to question the internal forecast: What am I feeling right now? What needs attention inside me? In this moment, what stands between me and happiness? It's good to ask these questions and make space for the answers--to actively view our internal weather. Because the layers of unpredictable snow can melt and reveal lush, green grass.
So true, Joy. Reminds me of a phrase I heard once and try to remind myself of often: Emotions are like clouds; they come and they go. And be that as it may, I do think it's important to acknowledge and accept them as they pass, whether we like them or not (as you often write about).
ReplyDeleteSomething else that just struck me: In life, as in photography, "cloudy" days often reveal some of the most beautiful parts of ourselves--parts that might be otherwise cast in the shadow of the sun.
Wishing you peace, whatever the weather. Hugs!
jamie, i always love hearing from you. and your life-photography analogy about cloudy days is spot on. you are wise and beautiful. big hug right back to you!
DeleteSuch a beautiful post with beautiful photos! I so relate to what you have written...my internal weather has been, let's just say, interesting. So love your perspective on wholehearted living.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by, denise. i always enjoy your perspective. i hear you about the "interesting" internal weather. may we both experience some bright sunshine soon. :)
DeleteThank you so much for these thoughtful words. I haven't been online much for the last couple of weeks, yet the time of reading this post by yours is perfect for me. Sending you a warm hug from a cloudy French Provence where both nature and silence are divine ... One day, I'd love to welcome you here!
ReplyDeleteyay for being off-line! i think that's good for our souls. i'm glad this post touched you. and, yes, someday i will visit you in france.
DeleteJoy, speaking on change, this world us ever changing and in flux. Because you quit your job the college you were a professor at will never be the same. Because you have friends you will be remembered well, and in a famous way not infamous. This world lives off reactions too. Good and bad. The good might be that you react to poverty and save a child from it or a bad reaction bully who wants a reaction from the victim. These reaction shape you life and every reaction you give is a movement, a step, a complicated dance. But ultimately, the world is in a flux feeding off of reactions. You may be riding this wave of changing reactions or you can be caught in it tumbling behind un able to catch your breath.
ReplyDeleteindeed! wisely and beautifully put.
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