Acceptance

Deep sigh. Yesterday was a beautiful, warm, 67 degree Autumn day. Today, however, is rainy, dreary, and 42 degrees outside currently as I sit here beginning to write this post. Oh, that's just how the weather is around here. You just never know from one day to the next.

I took this picture a few days ago, when we had our very first, deep frost of the season. Which, after looking back thru my Instagram feed, it shows it came a full month earlier than last year. Not sure if that means anything at all...a harsher or milder winter to come...it just is what it is, I guess.

Oh wait...here comes the sun!! Shining bright thru the windows!! Thankfully!!

All this back & forth with the weather reminds me of my own ebb & flow of emotions. Some days are sunny and beautiful, calm and enjoyable, happy and content. I can get outside and appreciate the sun's glow on my face. It's rays simply lighting up everything around me.

Then the "bad" weather comes rolling in. Those days are bleak and dark, cold and dismal, sad and distressing. On these days, all I can do is hide inside...under a warm blanket...snuggled with the puppies. Just trying to make it thru until my beloved sunny days return.

I am getting better at accepting how my mood changes as I accept how the weather changes. I have no control over the weather, so it truly is what it is. I'm figuring out, it is very similar with my emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Sometimes I can see the dark clouds looming on the horizon, making their way towards me and sometimes, a storm can kick up from out of nowhere. I do not have control over them....it just is what it is. On the other side of the storm though, I can feel it when the sun begins to peek thru the clouds. The sunshine starts to warm things back up. Bringing a relief to the dreadful weather that has been casting quite the shadow over everything in sight. It is very nice to almost literally see "the light at the end of the tunnel" in these situations!

Acceptance of this, I believe has really been helpful to me. Knowing that this is how my mental & emotional health does...that THIS is the pattern that has formed. It helps me be more understanding, more aware, and have more patience with myself and my needs. And these needs are always changing. From day to day, at times even from hour to hour. This is ME. This is how things have become. This IS what it is. {Can you tell I'm REALLY using this as my mantra at the moment??} Knowing that kindness may be needed in "this" moment, but discipline & tough love may be needed in "that" moment. My needs are very fluid, and I have to learn how to compensate for that. You must be ready for a change at any moment...but also not just dwell on the possibility of a freak storm...there is a delicate balance there. You must be aware of your surroundings to help avoid the dangerous weather, but also just be prepared because you can't dodge every storm that heads your way or pops up.

I am thankful that I do no have to go through these times alone. My wonderful Husband is here for me when I feel like I need to climb the highest mountain to celebrate just how good I feel, but is also there when I need help just holding my being together to keep myself from just shattering all over the place. He's there to make coffee, offer cuddles, or a hot bath when I need soothing. Makes sure I know he is just in the next room when I can just barely stand being in the same room with only myself.

He is learning, too...right along with me.

Sending Love & Light to YOU!!