Mindful Monday: Things Aren’t Always as They Seem

The last several months I’ve been in a good groove exploring my beliefs, patterns, and reactions, and I am really enjoying taking a compassionate approach as I do this.

As I mentioned last week, I have been adding a lot of tenderness into the mix and what I’m becoming more and more aware of is…

Things aren’t always as they seem.

What I mean by this is, if I react to something in this moment, it may not be entirely related to this moment.

It may be a reaction related to something from my past.

You see, we’re a combination or compilation of all our experiences from the day we entered the world.

Our body has stored all our experiences throughout our lifetime at a deep cellular level.

Knowing this, a question we might want to ask is…

When we are feeling feelings or having certain reactions, is it 100% related to this moment, or is it possible the reaction is coming from a memory in our cells from a previous experience?  

Perhaps even a combination of the two.

Right now, the pandemic is bringing a lot of things to the surface for so many people.

Fear, anxiety, not feeling safe, not having control, feeling isolated or alone, feeling hopeless.

What’s interesting is many people I’m working with are sharing stresses related to the pandemic, yet after some exploration, they recognize their feelings or anxiety is also related to an experience from their past where they didn’t feel safe, they didn’t have control, or they felt alone.

The parallels they become aware of are usually very unexpected.

Memories from the past that have been stored away under lock and key are now coming to the surface; it’s like shining light on an area that has been in the darkness.  

Feeling feelings can be hard. Having memories and feelings from our past resurface can be hard.

It is also an opportunity to shine light and compassion on the parts of us that have been frozen in time. We can integrate these parts, bring them back where they belong, and feel more whole.

Tenderness is what these parts are longing for.

When I show compassion to all parts of myself, things within me align and transformation happens.

So, when I say things aren’t always as they seem, I’m suggesting that we keep an open mind and open heart to the possibility that, as complex beings, what we’re processing may have more than one dimension or level to it.

What’s key is that we trust the process. We don’t complicate things by putting pressure on ourselves to try to figure it all out.

When I let go of trying to figure something out, that’s when the answers appear. There is clarity, and the truth reveals itself time and time again in the most mysterious and unexpected ways.

I encourage you to be curious and inquisitive. Willing to explore the many layers and intricacies of your full self with a gentle and compassionate approach.

Sending you light and love.

Diane