When I was young I had the tremendous energy it takes to sustain emotional drama. A stroke took away the energy I need to stay upset for a long time. Being snubbed recently reminded me of how intense emotions can be. I was upset the day I was snubbed. By the next day -- not so much. By the third day I remembered letting this person upset me gives her power. By the fourth day I remembered I was upset for decades when I was young but can not remember most of what upset me. Hence the irritating platitude -- this too shall pass.
How I react to my emotions is a conscious choice, but I forget this again and again. Fortunately, as I get older I remember this insight sooner and suffer less. homeafterstroke.blogspot.com
Right on!
ReplyDeleteYou used my favorite phrase, "This too shall pass". It is powerful and has helped me remember there is an end to everything and everything shall have a new beginning.
ReplyDeleteYou have learned some powerful lessons. I like to think I know that "letting this person upset me gives her power", yet putting practice into knowledge is beyond where I admit I am at times.
You are very wise. Thanks for sharing these lessons with us. I am glad to see the positive side of your stroke.
One of my daughters commented recently that I still have a lot of emotional lability as a result of my brain injury.
ReplyDeleteI told her that might be party true, but mainly I am choosing not to sit there keeping my mouth shut. What she is now hearing is all the stuff that I used to think and didn't choose to share with my then teenage daughter.
I actually do have a lot of work to do on learning how to react to strong emotions and criticism . This to shall pass is not my normal reaction.