Week Five: Turning towards difficulties

I recently saw the movie "Inside Out" with my family (which I highly recommend to anyone, whether you have kids or not!).  Reading this chapter reminds me of the struggle between joy and sadness in the movie.  Joy thought she always had to come in and save the day - she felt like a day where all the memories were joyful was a success.  She had a hard time seeing the point of sadness.  But eventually, she witnessed Sadness sitting next to the main characters forgotten imaginary friend, Bing Bong.  Joy had been trying to cheer up Bing Bong, but it was only once Sadness sat down and let him cry that he eventually felt better. 
Trying to hide from our difficult emotions doesn't make them go away.  That is the point of this chapter.  Sometimes (actually more often than not) we need to turn towards our difficult emotions and give them space.  The exercises this week work on developing awareness and our habitual responses to difficult emotions, as well as noticing our bodily responses to these emotions.  After we create awareness, we are able to turn towards them, saying, "It's OK to be feeling this way", and we are able to move on in a more open and accepting way.

This weeks daily plan:

8 minute Breath and Body
8 minute Sounds and Thoughts
10 minute Exploring Difficulty
3 minute Breathing Space
http://bit.ly/rodalemindfulness   tracks 4,5,6 and 8

Habit Releaser: Plant a seed or tend a plant

Download the printable homework sheet here