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The Good, the Bad and the Yikes!
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You know when you just feel like screaming....when you are over-flowing with feelings of being overwhelmed, and if you don't release them, you'll either explode or drown?
Though they don't feel it, times like these can be blessings; opportunities to see more clearly. Some of my best moments of clarity and wisdom were born from some of my most ugly. For example, I remember a time one December when I had just put up all the electric candles in the windows to begin my Christmas decorating, one of my favorite past-times. My husband arrived home and made a sarcastic comment related to our house looking like Fenway Park that he meant to be funny. Let's just say that electricity can be a hot topic in our house so I took his comment that was meant as an innocent joke to the extreme and I lost it. Not just a little lost it. I lost it big time.
I ran through the house like a crazy drama queen, pulling out the lights, muttering how I was sick and tired of not being able to have any lights on in the house....ever (insert dramatic tone here). Other rants included how I should buy him a ticket to the island of darkness where he'll be very happy there because there are no electric bills....he can then keep his money in his pocket where he at least can feel it because it will be too dark for him to see it. I continued to mutter the ridiculous as I stalked around the house un-decorating like a crazed wild-woman on the loose. I can still remember my husband and kids, lined up, immobile, cautiously amused by my behavior yet no one daring to speak or move. An alien had invaded mom's body and they weren't dumb or brave enough to question its madness. Uncharacteristic of me, I then got in my car and drove away. In a nearby parking lot, I called one of my closest friends and through my tears, I vented to her about how aggravated I was and how I was sick and tired of this and that. When I was finished with my rant, instead of a compassionate response, my friend cracked up. Not just a little chuckle. She cracked up big time.
Her response was exactly what I needed. Suddenly I started to feel more grounded and the real me began to return to my body. Now on this particular night, I identified the "alien" as hormones run amok but sometimes the "alien" can be stress, illness, not taking care of ourselves, putting everyone's needs first or all of the above.
I arrived home less than an hour later to a beautifully lit up house, every candle returned to its window. As I reflected on the situation I had just created, I couldn't help but be fascinated by my own humanity and imperfection. Of course, I was well aware of both before this day but the extent to which my emotions took over me really got me thinking. Although it certainly wasn't the first time I had "lost it", for some reason, I was able to be a keen observer while in the moment this time. Even though I couldn't seem to reach my own "off button", it was like I was an outsider, watching myself go though my own little mini self-destruct session, releasing venom yet simultaneously, I found myself curious and interested in how out of control we can all feel at times.
Sometimes it's these ugly moments that opens doors for self understanding. I continue to be in awe of the cycles and rhythms of the human body and their effect on our behaviors and choices. That moment reminded me that it's impossible for me to handle myself in an exceptional way at all times. Years ago, I would have beat myself up over an outburst like that and I certainly wouldn't have gracefully accepted it coming from someone else. Now I know better; there are days when our behavior will be stellar, there are days when we hold it together and then there will be those rare days when any sense of harmony has escaped us and.....yikes.
I'm not advocating making excuses for repeated bad behavior. However, it's wise to not allow those out of balance moments to define us, giving us the freedom to own it, fix it and move on quickly. Learning to accept the good, the bad and the ugly in both ourselves and others is seeing the humanity and therefore the inescapable imperfection in each of us. So when you're tempted to take life too seriously, sometimes a good laugh at yourself and embracing the visiting "aliens" in others is a more effective way to respond to the chaos.
You really are that powerful.
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Powerful Teens
Discussion Group Teen Girls Ages 11-14Friday August 3, 20126:30-8:30PM$30 (for 1)
$25 if you register with a friend Heaven on Earth270 Washington St, Pembroke, MA 02359 781-857-1444 REGISTER HEREThe tween and teen years can be a challenging time for kids and it's the age where girls begin to judge themselves based on the opinions of their peers. Building a healthy sense of self is the single best quality we can help them to develop as that will determine their success in all areas of their growth and development. Read full description HERE
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3 Week Session
Powerful Women Discussion Group
Tuesdays
August 7, 14 & 21
7PM - 9PM $90
136 Bournedale Rd, Buzzards Bay, MA
Struggling with a difficult situation or relationship? Tired of being overwhelmed? Ready to make some changes in your life but just don't know where to start? Come join a small group of women to focus on new perspectives, empowering strategies and increased clarity. There's nothing quite like a group of compassionate women coming together with strong, supportive energy.
Space is limited
Register HERE
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