How present can you be to “negative” feelings?
PRESENT WITH THE NEGATIVE
“Negative” feelings are part of the human experience. There’s no plainer or profound way to put that. To deny the negative feelings is to resist the power of our presence — we miss out on LIFE. Pushing away the darkness can be a precursor to numbing out and all kinds of addiction. We have to lean in, embrace it, even.
And, we often learn through contrast. That’s part of living in a dualistic reality. Restriction can lead to freedom. Shame can lead to pride. Weakness can lead to integrity. Again, lean in.
This is an exercise to examine your willingness to experience the more difficult feelings that life will inevitably bring. It’s a bit of “roll with it” training.
Important note: a “negative” feeling doesn’t have to be regarded as a “bad” or weakening experience. Anger can be creative, sorrow can bring us closer to Spirit. But for these purposes, “negative” feelings are what most of us would relate to as heavy, uncomfortable, painful and/or unpleasant.
We’re also aiming to understand why some feelings are easier or more difficult to experience than others. This way, when a negative feeling arises, you can see its associations and make a clearer choice to return to encouraging thoughts and your Core Desired Feelings.
- Negative feelings that I can experience with openness and intention. (i.e. Sadness, doubt, confusion, anger)…
- Why I’m able to experience those negative feelings with openness and intention…
- Negative feelings that I can be comfortable experiencing. (i.e. fear, uncertainty, overwhelm, melancholy, jealousy)…
- Why I’m able to be comfortable experiencing those negative feelings…
- Negative feelings that I have been extremely difficult for me to experience (they are CDF blockers). (i.e. Shame, anxiety, depression, apathy, unworthiness)…
- Why those negative feelings were extremely difficult for me to experience…
All Love,
Danielle
