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I don't

a weekly mindful reflection

Rainy day
Rainy day (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Dear Reader,

Recently, a few people have asked me how I manage to stay calm and positive all the time. The simple answer is I don’t. Like every other person on this planet, I feel the full spectrum of emotions—from anger and fear to shame and intense passion. I am grateful to have the capacity to process and work through it all, to be multidimensional, and to learn from each experience, no matter how difficult.

Cultivating mindfulness does not eliminate the waves of emotion. Instead, it teaches us how to ride them and right ourselves when we get pulled under.

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This week, I invite you to cultivate grace and compassion for yourself as you move through each emotion, embracing them as they come… and go.

With love and gratitude,
Liz

Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Inspire | “The bird building her home on your windowsill has had every nest destroyed before. The spider that is delicately weaving a silken masterpiece has had every single thread broken before. And despite it all, they try again.” Nikita Gill

Listen | In the darkest of hours, we must work even harder to lead a life uncommon. Please click on the purple link to listen to one of my favorite songs when I need a little pick-me-up.

Try This | The next time the world feels a bit overwhelming, still your body, take a deep breath, and repeat to yourself: “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”

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