Feeling my feelings has really helped me. I used to get consumed by the need to make sense of everything. Now, I’m learning to lean into the feeling instead. Reflection works best when you’re calm. But when you’re anxious, letting yourself experience the discomfort while reminding yourself that you’re safe in the moment helps you move through it.
“Over the course of an average lifetime, because of all the clutter we live in, we will spend 3,680 hours, or 153 days, searching for misplaced items.”— Joshua Becker, Becoming Minimalist
Wow, that quote really stunned me. What a waste of our energy! Of course I say that with a great deal of compassion, but it certainly makes a good case for simplicity.
Thank you for this incredibly well written and helpful article, Sandra. So relevant right now!
Maia, I agree; that quote is powerful. I have a system in place, so I rarely misplace things now, but that always used to be me. I'm glad you found this piece helpful!
Your writing consistently reflects honesty, inviting us into your world with both vulnerability and resilience while uplifting others. I value how you seamlessly intertwine your narrative with our shared experiences.
Thank you, Paulette. That was an intense time in my life. The lava eruption was one of three personal disasters. I'm glad if my experience can help someone else.
Sandra, I remember when you were facing this crisis. Back then I marveled at how you rode out the disaster. And these days I continue to marvel at the advice you bring us. Awhile ago, I read a travel article written by a young woman who'd gone on a road trip with a friend. A series of disasters and discomforts ensued. Through it all, the writer's friend remained calm and serene. Finally at the end of the trip she asked him why. He said that his Buddhist training reminded him that everything is transitory, everything changes. He knew that discomfort wouldn't last forever. This was one paragraph in a long article, but it is what stuck with me. I think about it often and for some reason your post compelled me to share it with you.
Charlotte, Thank you for you kind words and for sharing that piece from the road trip article. Remember impermanence has helped more than anything else to get through changes and challenges. LIke this man, I find it comforting. I appreciate our connection and am so glad to have refound you here on Substack!
Thanks so much, Tracy! That was an intense time in my life and I'm glad I can share what I've learned with others. I'm excited about the new publication, too. Thanks for your support.
Oh Sandra, I am so sorry that you experienced such a devastating event! I have a feeling the California fires are bringing that angst front and center for you again. It is all so very sad.
I am hopeful that the current political dumpster fire does not bring the devastation that half of us fear it will. I am trying my best to step back and observe it - to not feel fear even though it is so easy to give into that. We will see - and we will get through this - together. Thank you for such a thoughtful post - as always.
Cathy, Thank you for your empathy! So many people need empathy right now. Hundreds of thousands of people have already been impacted by decisions taken by the new administration. But I have hope that something will interrupt this downward movement in time. In the meantime, I feel for everyone who is harmed.
wow...incredible story Sandra....so much like what the people of Los Angeles are
experiencing right now....
you just have to get out of way for your own safety ...you can`t save it....I wouldn`t think one could really understand until one has to go through it ..not that I want to...but great advice on how to process going forward
Brenda, Thank you! I'm glad you appreciate the advice; we never know when we might need it. The lava that is emitted from a shield volcano (in this case, it came from fissures in the ground, miles away from the center of the volcano) is that it is slow-moving and effusive, unlike fire, which moves quickly. Although, we didn't know from day to day when or where a fissure would pop up in a neighborhood or jungle area. I believe we ended up with 22, but fissure 8 is the one that did the most damage.
It's much easier to evacuate people to safety before lava would reach them. It's still frightening, and the lava emissions destroy the air quality. You get Pele's hair in the air, cooled lava stretched in thin strands, in some areas, which can be harmful to breathe. This eruption lasted three months, so every day felt like a disaster, with new homes being taken or lava covering favorite recreational areas. I was lucky to evacuate early!
Excellent advice as always, Sandra! You are a wise woman.
Thank you so much, BR!
Feeling my feelings has really helped me. I used to get consumed by the need to make sense of everything. Now, I’m learning to lean into the feeling instead. Reflection works best when you’re calm. But when you’re anxious, letting yourself experience the discomfort while reminding yourself that you’re safe in the moment helps you move through it.
Akanksha, Thank you for that beautiful explanation of how feeling your feelings works for you. I appreciate it so much!
Beautiful and very safe advice. Thank you
Jane, Thank you!
“Over the course of an average lifetime, because of all the clutter we live in, we will spend 3,680 hours, or 153 days, searching for misplaced items.”— Joshua Becker, Becoming Minimalist
Wow, that quote really stunned me. What a waste of our energy! Of course I say that with a great deal of compassion, but it certainly makes a good case for simplicity.
Thank you for this incredibly well written and helpful article, Sandra. So relevant right now!
Maia, I agree; that quote is powerful. I have a system in place, so I rarely misplace things now, but that always used to be me. I'm glad you found this piece helpful!
Your writing consistently reflects honesty, inviting us into your world with both vulnerability and resilience while uplifting others. I value how you seamlessly intertwine your narrative with our shared experiences.
Thank you, Paulette. That was an intense time in my life. The lava eruption was one of three personal disasters. I'm glad if my experience can help someone else.
Sandra, I remember when you were facing this crisis. Back then I marveled at how you rode out the disaster. And these days I continue to marvel at the advice you bring us. Awhile ago, I read a travel article written by a young woman who'd gone on a road trip with a friend. A series of disasters and discomforts ensued. Through it all, the writer's friend remained calm and serene. Finally at the end of the trip she asked him why. He said that his Buddhist training reminded him that everything is transitory, everything changes. He knew that discomfort wouldn't last forever. This was one paragraph in a long article, but it is what stuck with me. I think about it often and for some reason your post compelled me to share it with you.
Charlotte, Thank you for you kind words and for sharing that piece from the road trip article. Remember impermanence has helped more than anything else to get through changes and challenges. LIke this man, I find it comforting. I appreciate our connection and am so glad to have refound you here on Substack!
I so appreciate our connection, too--it's been a number of years and I'm grateful for that.
Wise words. I think I needed to read this. Feeling overwhelmed
Ali, I hope the overwhelm dissolves like a rainbow in the sky! Sending a big hug!
Sandra,such wonderful tips on staying calm through chaos. I look forward to the new publication!
Thanks so much, Tracy! That was an intense time in my life and I'm glad I can share what I've learned with others. I'm excited about the new publication, too. Thanks for your support.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and helping others along the way.
Oh Sandra, I am so sorry that you experienced such a devastating event! I have a feeling the California fires are bringing that angst front and center for you again. It is all so very sad.
I am hopeful that the current political dumpster fire does not bring the devastation that half of us fear it will. I am trying my best to step back and observe it - to not feel fear even though it is so easy to give into that. We will see - and we will get through this - together. Thank you for such a thoughtful post - as always.
Cathy, Thank you for your empathy! So many people need empathy right now. Hundreds of thousands of people have already been impacted by decisions taken by the new administration. But I have hope that something will interrupt this downward movement in time. In the meantime, I feel for everyone who is harmed.
wow...incredible story Sandra....so much like what the people of Los Angeles are
experiencing right now....
you just have to get out of way for your own safety ...you can`t save it....I wouldn`t think one could really understand until one has to go through it ..not that I want to...but great advice on how to process going forward
Brenda, Thank you! I'm glad you appreciate the advice; we never know when we might need it. The lava that is emitted from a shield volcano (in this case, it came from fissures in the ground, miles away from the center of the volcano) is that it is slow-moving and effusive, unlike fire, which moves quickly. Although, we didn't know from day to day when or where a fissure would pop up in a neighborhood or jungle area. I believe we ended up with 22, but fissure 8 is the one that did the most damage.
It's much easier to evacuate people to safety before lava would reach them. It's still frightening, and the lava emissions destroy the air quality. You get Pele's hair in the air, cooled lava stretched in thin strands, in some areas, which can be harmful to breathe. This eruption lasted three months, so every day felt like a disaster, with new homes being taken or lava covering favorite recreational areas. I was lucky to evacuate early!
3 months !!!!! how does that even compute ???? 3 months of disaster..
every day / night ... not knowing .....again ....hard to grasp......can`t imagine : (((
Exactly!