Clouds Make the Best Sunsets

Clouds make the best sunsets, when well placed.

Which is such a great metaphor for life if we see clouds as our heavy stuff (problems, difficult emotions, challenges, etc.) and the sun as our inner radiance & light that guides us through hard times.

Instead of letting the clouds block out our sun completely or trying to deny them space in our sky, we can accept their presence and cultivate resilience. We can acknowledge that the clouds in our sky hold the rain that nourishes our ground, that waters the seeds we are sowing. There are no rainbows without rain, and how would we know joy without sadness?

When we allow our heavy shit to be illuminated (seen) and made colorful by our light, we create beauty & a sense of wholeness in our sky. Usually our greatest hardships become our greatest sources of strength and power because they have shown us what we can withstand and the resources we have to move through anything. This is only if we first accept and see them. By fully seeing and feeling the difficult feelings, we shine our light on them, which actually changes their color — our perspective — and creates healing. Accepting the clouds and the sunshine is what makes our sky full, and gives our life more meaning because we are fully experiencing the range of emotions that comes with being human.

Ok, so how do we actually do that?

Here are some practices that have been working for me, take what resonates, leave what doesn’t.

My mantra for this year is “I am safe to feel.”

Holding my hands on my heart or one on my heart, one on my belly, I take 3 deep breaths and then internally say “I am safe to feel”

I allow whatever emotions come up to move through me by identifying where they are in my body and what they feel like using words like ‘hard, scratchy, smooth, shiny, watery, deep, shallow, tight, loose, etc.’ Think texture words (try to go deeper than emotion words like tired, angry, sad — what does the tired feel like in the body?)

If resistance comes up, simply recognize it. Go slow and be gentle with yourself. There is no rush.

Journal prompts:

What parts of me have I hidden, changed, or suppressed in order to meet the needs of the outside world? How can I express them now?

What do I want others to say to me? Say those to yourself in the mirror.

If a friend/child came to me and said they were feeling heavy (sad, angry, etc.), what would I say to them? What actions would I take?

What did the difficult periods/events in my life teach me? Is it possible that I can continue to learn in this way?

Quick Nervous System Reset

Sit/stand/lie down somewhere comfortable for a few minutes. Take some deep breaths.

Clasp the hands behind the head so that the thumbs are right at the base of the skull. Close the eyes & take a deep breath.

Then, without moving the head, look to the left for 10 deep breaths. Focus on the looking itself rather than what you are looking at. Try to get the eyeballs all the way to the left side of the eye.

Come back to center & take a deep breath. Then repeat looking to the right without moving the head for 10 breaths.

Come back to center and release the hands. Notice how you feel.

SLOWING DOWN.

Choose one moment in your day to slow down and tune into the inner world. It can be when you get in your car, when you arrive home, when you are going to the bathroom. Make a sticky note reminder for yourself and place it where you feel like you will actually listen to it. Take a moment for some deep breaths. Listen to the body. Maybe have a one minute dance party, maybe a 10 min nap, maybe just closing the eyes, maybe turning the phone off for an hour. Whatever feels the best for you.