Consider this : feel your feelings.
To supplement my financial aid, I work part-time helping a woman organize her home office. She has the cutest 2 year old named Morgan.
The other day, we’re eating lunch – which is generously supplied by my boss. (Bonus tip, Emma: always get a job with perks).
Morgan is chomping on bite-size pieces of homemade pizza, with thick doughy crust and bites his tongue. Immediately he starts wailing. “I hurt my tongue mommy.”
He looks at her wide-eyed, confused by the pain. She rubs his back and lets him cry, assuring him, “Oh, it hurts doesn’t it. Awww, it probably tastes funny too. Aww..bean.”
In less than a minute, the tears subside. “I feel better now.” Morgan takes a deep breath, wipes his tears then pops some pizza into his mouth. Chewing slowly he turns and asks his mom, “Why I was so sad?”
I smiled at the wisdom of kids.
Morgan reminded me how to deal with the unexpected pain that comes with life.
Feel your feelings. Let yourself cry. Or yelp. Or scream. Acknowledge where it hurts in your body.
Turn to a loved one for support. Someone who will listen without judging. Hold you without fixing. Affirm your pain then remind you: you’re going to be okay.
Announce when the pain subsides. Then proceed with life as usual.
Ask yourself the right questions. Instead of “Why me?” or “What did I do wrong?” Get curious about what you can learn from it.
-Ije Ude
www.soulpoweredsolutions.com
