Using words over and over tends to flatten their meaning. We aren't able to feel a word because we've heard it so many times. The words sadness and loneliness are ones that may lose their capacity to move us.
Susan Piver, in the wisdom of a broken heart, offers suggestions for healing breakups with romantic partners that we can adapt to help us when winter desperation sneaks up on us.
When you are sad because ice makes you a prisoner in your own house, don't get angry at yourself or others. Piver suggests sadness can be a form of gentleness. Be gentle with yourself. Don't berate yourself because you are sad; recognize that sadness means you are in touch with your feelings.
If you begin to feel lonely, Piver might suggest that loneliness can be a form of fearlessness. She writes: "Our definition of fearlessness is the ability to open up to, accept, and even take delight in your world, in all the fabulous and insane things that happen within and around you." Recognize the insanity of dreading a blizzard that never happens.
Stay with your feelings fearlessly and you will develop inner strength. You will learn that feelings, no matter how strong, won't always be there and that Winter Storm Warnings do have an expiration date.
Hang in there - we are soon to be turning the corner into Spring!
Let me know if thinking about sadness as gentleness and loneliness as fearlessness gives you a new sense of the words.
Thank you for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
www.susanpiver.com
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