Shifting Sadness

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

When change comes about and I feel sad,
My boat rocks and things seem to go bad.
And rather than miffed,
Could I find some gift
To name as “Appreciate-launch-pad?”

How do you shift sadness?

You remember my “Word-for-2024?”
Appreciate.

This week I’m figuring out appreciating
A different dimension of my all-life journey.

I have known folks in many different places, 
Different contexts, ages, lengths of time.
Different intensities and scenarios.
And to different depths

All together, we’ve become a sort of “bowl.”
My Bowl has a beautiful ceramic glaze.
Wonderful metaphor!

This week I’ve realized my bowl surface has become  
Crazed, tiny fissures on its surface.
Not broken, yet showing vulnerability and change.

Absences from moving on, 
Location or role, choice or requirement. 
Shifts, loss, limitations, illness, death.
These craze my bowl’s surface.
And I feel sad.

Sadness because a piece that was in my life has ended.
Sadness because the connection mattered.

I began wondering if there is another piece
Something along with—”I feel sad.”
Now—here comes my word.

It is Appreciation.

Appreciation for the wealth of connections 
Forming my bowl.
Appreciation for all I still have and can share.
Even appreciation for sadness highlighting
The Richness of connection.

Heavy week brought new insight.
Gives me hope.

Hugs,
Lin