When I lived in the Midwest, years ago, there were large periods, for months at a time, of gray, cloudy skies. The long winters in the Midwest, the lack of light, resembled long journeys inside a gray tunnel. For many, it led to depression, anxiety and isolation. In the middle of one of those long periods of grayness, I took a flight to California. As soon as the plane took off, I was surprised to see a bright, shining light above the clouds. I had forgotten that the sun was always there, shining and bright, even in the worst days of darkness.
Kaushikvishu photo. Wikimedia Commons
Our lives can be like that. Clouds can obscure our true self and often we forget that our bright, shiny self is always there. It was a good reminder for me to know that even in the worst, hopeless moments, the sun was always shining and bright above us. Since then, I remind myself often that clouds are always coming and going but our true self is always shining and free. When you face moments of grayness, isolation and anxiety, what do you do? When you are left feeling isolated and hopeless, where do you look? How do you remind yourself that your true self is always bright, shining and free?
Take a moment to practice mindful breathing:
- Moment by moment, where is true self?
- Breathing in, breathing out, return to the present moment.
- Here and now, breathe. Your true self is always shinning and free.
Juan Velasco