No Matter the Emotion

Before getting out of the bed this morning, I was having a heartfelt conversation with a friend from overseas. During the conversation I learned they had a close relative recently pass. Needless to say, this along with a number of other stresses had really been weighing on their mind. I did my best to comfort them mostly by just listening and letting them vent their frustrations. We didn’t really resolve any of their problems. But by simply listening I believe it helped my friend just a little.
 
It's always good just to be someone’s sounding board at times. Unfortunately in my own mind, I can only count on one finger the number of people I can relay on. But I learned to accept that fact, and for many years the only one I could really count was myself. I’ve spent hours rolling over things in my head. Talking to the walls as it were, being lonely even when surrounded by others. I consider myself a high functioning depressive, and sadly there are many others that live in the same way with much less happier endings.
 
But don’t worry about me. I’m too much of an open book to ever dive through that rabbit hole. I do my damnest to not be afraid to listen to those thoughts. Through mindfulness and compassionate listening, I’ve learned to accept those fears. Then by practicing self-forgiveness and a little self-compassion, I’ve learned to cope with my illness. It may seem like a complicated process. But the seeds we bury will bloom no matter how deeply they’re planted. But as I said, there is a way out of that hole, it just takes a little faith and effort. Through mindfulness and awareness, you can look past the loneliness. By understanding that in this world we are not truly alone. That despite the isolation we may feel, there are others that genuinely care. No matter the emotions we’re going through.