Feel to Heal

I’m all about the attitude of gratitude – finding the good, even when it’s hard to see. It can be extremely hard to do sometimes, but I try – that’s just my own personal philosophy (and I get that from my Mama). But the reality is that life isn’t always sunshine and flowers all the time, and that’s ok too.  It’s so important to acknowledge, nurture and respect your feelings when you feel overwhelmed or defeated. Those feelings are valid and in order to move onward and upward we need to “feel to heal” – it’s essential for our overall wellbeing and it’s just as important as seeing the good and being grateful. We all have our insecurities, our battles, our storms, but there’s always calm after the storm too. And the same goes for kids as well. Their feelings are even more real and valid and should never go unheard or unprocessed – it’s how they become stronger adults.

The Positive Track

Let yourself feel so you can begin to heal. Embrace everything going on with your emotions with the respect they deserve. It’s the first step in working on a solution and rising above the negatives you are feeling. I know social media specifically can effect how someone may feel about themselves or their own lives; but you are only seeing a tiny, often staged, moment – not the whole picture. Give yourself time, space, remove yourself from a situation.  Talk to a friend, a parent, a spouse, a group, a spitirutal leader.  You’re never alone.  I 100% guarantee you everyone has something that weighs them down in one way or the other, and it’s nothing to to be ashamed of or to hide.  Don’t let things build up, take over and eat you up inside; life is too short.  You deserve to be happy and enjoy things.  Something I like to do is write it all out on a piece of paper.  It’s like talking to yourself in way.  I write out what’s bothering me to start.  Sometimes just understanding what the source is can be the biggest leap forward.  Then take it from there – how can a solution be made?  Start small, little by little, day by day, work your way onward and upward.

Little Kids Have Big Feelings

Kids have big feelings as well. Pay attention to them, notice them, hear them.  Often times kids will act out because they don’t know how to express what they are feeling otherwise, they just don’t have the capacity to do so; acting out is their way of asking for help in a way. Be a source for them; be someone that helps process what they are feeling, and be patient. The sooner they understand it’s ok to feel the way they feel, the stronger they will be as adults.

Something I always like to keep in mind is that there’s calm after a storm too. There’s always a way to work through your insecurities and your battles and be back on the bright side.  I’m grateful for my family, friends and faith that help me be strong and continue to move onward and upward.