do you ever have moments,
when inexplicable feelings of sadness
steal over you?
when nothing major has occurred,
no significant event to provoke heartache.
but you just feel . . . sad?
i have.
recently in fact.
i was tearfully reacting to everything around me.
which seemed slightly ridiculous on the surface.
because i have a life for which i am grateful.
yet i still can’t escape sad feelings at times.
and whenever i am in one of these moods,
i take a mental intermission to ponder what’s behind it all.
i suspect that there are seasons of sadness.
perhaps lasting only moments, hours, days.
maybe months or longer.
times when, more than others,
you give in to the melancholy musings of life.
what provoked this particular brooding session for me?
a variety of pensive ingredients coalescing into one emotional recipe:
- joyful memories long tucked away and unable to be reproduced
- important people who no longer share this earth
- poignant tales of courage and perseverance in the face of human woe
- regrettable episodes that i wish i could steal back and redo
- final goodbyes to summer and carefree, uninhibited days
it is possible that – once in awhile – we need this solemn reflection,
this contemplative timeout, this sober thoughtfulness.
to cut through the busy, the hurried, even the upbeat lives we lead.
to recognize what we’ve experienced and what we have in front of us now.
an appreciation of the totality of our existence.
sometimes i am sad.
and thatβs okay.
it helps me clarify
who i am and where
i am headed.
can you identify with the seasons of sadness i’ve described?
what do you do to push through these periods?
do you find yourself spiraling into a depressive state?
or have you been able to gain clarity and extract valuable lessons?
please share your insights and wisdom.
Hi April, what a beautifully written post! Yes, I know what you mean and sometimes have these moments or days, too. And it is in fact sometimes nice to take a spiritual time-out and indulge in pondering about life and its essence. However, since I once also wasn’t able to get out of a depressed state so easily I make sure these phases never last too long. Mindfulness is an incredible useful tool and so are some vitamin cures. But there surely is no harm in being a little blue from time to time. It helps us keep our feet on the ground.
thanks, nathalie, for your lovely words. yes, it is crucial to know our own tendencies and to be aware of red flags. i am happy to hear that, through the use of mindfulness and vitamins, you have been able to stave off depression.
April! We seem to be going through the same emotions! its insane! I had a season of sadnes this week, and what didnt help was going on a terrible date yesterday! but all seasons shall passs!
yasmine – we have been on the same wavelength regarding several issues recently! so sorry to hear about the lousy date. here’s hoping the next one is fabulous. π
I love this post. Yes, I’ve had moments like this as well when I experience sadness. There are always deeper reasons like you’ve listed here. It’s all part of the processing and healing and growing, I think. I let myself feel what I’m feeling and then move on. Sometimes there’s insight. Sometimes there’s just feeling the feeling.
thank you, leanne. you bring up a good point – “sometimes there’s insight.” we may not always learn a deep lesson (at least not immediately). “feeling the feeling” may be all that’s necessary to further growth and healing.
This post is wonderful and very timely for me. I’ve also been feeling very weepy and sad lately. It’s comforting to think about it the way you have described. So important to ALLOW ourselves to feel it and not judge it or ourselves for it. Thank you for your wise words. xoxh
i’m sorry to hear that you’ve been sad, but glad my words provided a bit of comfort, karen. my wish for you this week: contendedness and delight. π
Love this. Thank you.
Yes…I too believe that sadness comes in seasons. And by allowing rather than fighting the sadness, we can move through a bit more gracefully. By allowing, I’m usually able to discover lessons and blessings as well. Not always, but sometimes. It’s a practice π
yes, shari – a practice. as much of life is a practice. sounds trite, but . . . we learn, we grow, we get stronger with each trial we endure. thank you for sharing your insights.