Feelings

This week is my last dedicated week for my writing project on Everyday Spirituality. I feel some sadness and some irritation (towards myself) that more of the last six weeks wasn’t devoted to delving more deeply into this intriguing topic. But, you know the story–work called, mothering called and there was laundry to be done and meals to be made.

As I observe myself ride the wave of feeling around this sabbatical experience, I step back in puzzlement and fascination. Aren’t feelings interesting?

Late Friday afternoon I had the treat of spending time with my sweet son at one or our favorite haunts–Deep Eddy, the oldest natural spring-fed swimming pool in Texas. After we swam for a while, I took a break and rested on a blanket while my son continued to play in the water with a new friend.

After a short phone call, I found myself having worrisome thoughts about a dear friend who is going through a lot of transition. I watched my mood shift and felt the discomfort these thoughts carried with them.

Fifteen minutes later, still sitting on the blanket and enjoying the gorgeous 300-year old pecan trees around me, I became mesmerized with a beautiful set of four-month-old twins playing on a blanket right in front of me (they had two other siblings under four–mom had a helper though, thank God). They were so pure and beautiful and joyful.

A little later, I swam some more and felt my mood shift again to one of gratitude–for my schedule, for living in Austin, for my son/husband and for being alive.

They say we should treat feelings like waves–letting them wash over us, but not allowing ourselves to dance in their dangerous arms, getting pulled under by their consuming force.

Ahhh …..waves. So if I am experiencing discomfort in the moment, if I just feel what I’m feeling and not get too attached or overwhelmed by the emotion du jour, they’ll soon wash away? I like that.

Because they always do pass, right? And something new will undoubtedly present itself for us to experience and learn from next.