two hopeful messages

I've been going through the wringer emotionally these past few days. Just completely triggered with abandonment stuff and struggling to cope with those huge emotions.

I have been reaching out for support where I can find it, reminding myself of the people in my life who are here for the long haul. Yesterday two of those people each told me something that has stuck with me all day today and that has given me a lot of relief when I take time to really meditate on it.

1: There are no wrong answers.

and 2: You are right where you need to be.

I LOVE those, zoo. Especially "you are right where you need to be". My T says that to me sometimes, and it calms everything down inside a little bit.

I'm glad you're back here with us. I've missed you

I guess I want to elaborate and say that the other thing that has given me a lot of relief is accepting my emotions. I'm trying to remember to acknowledge "little zoo" (my inner child) and tell her it's ok, everything is ok. And then I have created this sort of...I don't know what it is. A fantasy? I don't know where it came from. But: I imagine I'm in a big tent, like a circus tent or one they used in old fashioned revivals. I stand in the front and I just welcome my emotions in, one by one. Hello, my little fear. Hello, my little anger. Hello, my little grief. I just keep going and going until I can't think of any more.

Then I welcome the other ones. The dark ones that look like shadows. The invisible ones that you can't see except out of the corners of your eyes. The big huge ones that burn with fire. The frozen ones with the sharp edges. I welcome them all.

I tell them: come in. You are welcome. You are valid. You exist for a reason and you are part of this life. I hear you. I see you. I know you. Please, stay as long as you need to, and then let go. It's okay to go. You have served your purpose and I thank you.

And then, I watch them go. I don't push them away. I don't hide from them. If they need me to, I look at them. I embrace them. I thank them for doing their job. And I let them go.

i like #2 as well. definitely something to think about.

that one made me think of you, tree. I don't know if you've shared it here before or if it's something that you've said to me, but for whatever reason, I thought of you.

Welcome back zoo. I love your fantasy of the tent and emotions. It is quite profound. Maybe some day I will be able to imagine myself doing that. Right now itis way too foreign to me

Zoo- Thanks for sharing that image! It reminded me of this poem, one I needed to read again. I think I will copy it in my journal:

The Guest House -

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

From Essential Rumi
by Coleman Barks

wow, Reeg, thank you SO MUCH for sharing that. It really speaks to me and what I'm going through right now, and sounds so much like my visualization of welcoming my emotions, it's almost eerie. Thank you.

Wow Zoo!! I LOVE your tent tactic! Very creative and good!!