Are You Ever Burdened With A Load Of Care?
Several weeks ago, I was asked to lead this week’s discussion in Relief Society. The General Conference talk we will be discussing is “Just Keep Going – With Faith”, which is a talk about overcoming discouragement and moving forward.
This week my family got discouraging and disheartening news.
I thought, I “should” know how to deal with hard things!
- I know how to pray
- I know how to hand things over to God
- I know thoughtwork
- I know how to see the “gifts” life’s challenges bring
- I know how to re-write my stories
- I know how to shift into my sage wisdom
- I know how to recognize and feel my feelings
I have ALL the tools.
However, let me tell you a little secret.
What actually made things better was acknowledging that I feel discouraged – and that it’s OK to feel discouraged. Anyone in this situation would feel this way. We know in time that strong feelings pass and new realities get normalized.
In those moments when discouragement hits us hard, the “tools” don’t really make things better.
Additional Things That Help Me
In addition to all of the above tools, I have a few additional go-to strategies that bring me peace:
- I listen to what I call “morning birdsong symphonies” from the birds in my yard and pray and meditate to the sound.
- Since I am a gardener, my garden is a place of refuge and peace for me.
- Yesterday I spent time in my garden watering, tying up heavy poppies, removing aphids, watching ladybugs eat aphids,picking zinnias, removing the leaves from their stems and arranging them in a vase, all the while noticing their remarkable colors.
- Korean Yoga and Tai Chi movements help me move strong feelings through my body.
- And, of course, a good nap…
Perhaps This Is You?
Women whose spouse and/or children are leaving the church are familiar with facing new and discouraging changes in their lives. Just like my story above, we need to stop and allow the grief before we can “Just Keep Going – With Faith”.
I am grateful for the wisdom to know that discouragement and grief need a little time to process. As usual, I will bring a unique perspective to my Relief Society lesson tomorrow.
In addition to time, sometimes we need a little help and encouragement to keep going as we pass through seemingly insurmountable trials. Often we just need to express our sorrow and discouragement out loud to a listening ear .
Lee, if I can assist you in this process, and help you keep going with faith, I’m here.
Simply click the button below and set up a complementary 30-minute appointment, and let’s talk.
