Acknowledge
Our western world is built to relieve discomfort, to minimize suffering, and to distract from feeling.
The problem is, it’s done by distraction. Entertainment that keeps you in fantasy land. Food that gives you spikes of dopamine. Careers that give you purpose, but drive you to exhaustion. All of these things work to relieve discomfort, but they are only covering it up. Distracting you from what you’re truly experiencing.
Often times we go to fleeting pleasures to find stress relief. Something that’s easy to get and feels good in the moment. I don’t, personally, believe these things are good or bad, they just are. And they have their place. But if you are looking for long term peace, they won’t provide it.
The journey to long term peace begins with acknowledging what is. Pausing to be with yourself long enough to feel the discomforts. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, in your relationships, your workplace, your neighborhood.
The journey to long term peace begins with observing the discomforts without judgement or attachment.
Learning non-judgement and non-attachment is the journey to lasting peace. This is the key, the linchpin, the big shebang. But that can’t happen without noticing what is. Observing and even being curious of how you feel, what you’re thinking, where life hurts.
The journey inward is the journey upward. They are not separate.
Today, give yourself 10 minutes to observe your thoughts. Notice what you think about as you sit in a comfortable, safe space. Notice what emotions arise in the quiet. Get curious about what comes up for you. See what it feels like to notice your thoughts and emotions without judging them. Simply allow them to come and go like the clouds rolling by.
I want to hear how it goes for you!
PS: I am offering complimentary one to one yoga coaching calls to help you get your specific stress relief plan. Schedule here: https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22383207&appointmentType=22886509
-Kasidy Kersey, yoga teacher for mental health