what you're feeling is ok

Our bodies are mere outlines of a vast and complex interior world, a landscape of contradiction and mystery -John O'Donohue

The last time Tara and I checked in with each other via text, I told her, "I'm feeling anxious and calm at the same time."  She understood.

As humans, our emotions are never tidy.  They never fit into concrete categories.  They are never "what you're supposed to be feeling at this time, in this circumstance,"  They're just present.  And we can choose to fight them or go with them.  We can choose to honor our inherent capacity to contain contradiction or we can spiral into a moral and ethical dilemma, berating ourselves with, "What I'm feeling is not ok!"

During a global pandemic, it is natural for a variety of contradictory thoughts, feelings and sensations to arise.  And we can hold them.  We can feel two completely different things simultaneously, like anxious and calm.  And this is true even in the absence of a pandemic as well.  Ambivalence is a real thing.  And it is through this tension, in the positive sense of the word, it is through welcoming paradox that we find light in our darkest places. 

It is scary and sad that so many are ill.  It is strange and unusual that going to work is now considered a misdemeanor, if your work is not an essential piece of the protection and support network.  And it is sweet and heartwarming to witness the outpouring of love and resources that folks are offering to each other during this time. 

What you're feeling is ok.  And we're here for you.  In addition to the free offerings available in the Table Health digital resources library, such as yoga nidra, pilates and calming/grounding yoga, Love Body will be offering a donation-based virtual yoga class this Sunday.  You can register for this Sunday Solidarity experience and you will be sent a link for the virtual class and donation page within the next few days. 

Holding you in our hearts.

Like what you see?  Subscribe to free Weekly Wisdom Updates below.