The world feels heavy right now. Between the ongoing wars, devastating hurricanes, and the divisive political climate, It’s no surprise that many of us are experiencing a range of difficult emotions, anxiety, overwhelm, sadness, anger and even numbness. These events, experienced directly or vicariously through news and social media, create a shared sense of grief and loss that we are all left to navigate. 

I live in Asheville, North Carolina and my city has been decimated by hurricane Helene. Although I have been able to fare quite well staying with friends and family while services are being restored, the emotional overhead is still there waiting for me. Not only my own difficult emotions, but also those of the collective. 

Collective grief and difficult emotions will wait for you. Often during a particularly difficult time we are able to put difficult emotions on the back burner, because taking action is the most important thing at hand. Or we may try to push them away, but they often resurface in unexpected ways. This is where the power of mindfulness and compassion practices comes in.

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for navigating difficult emotions by helping us to pay attention to them in the present moment, in our bodies, without judgment. By gently being with our thoughts and feelings without attaching to them, we can create space for them to shift and change and maybe even pass through. This doesn’t mean ignoring our pain, but rather accepting it as a part of the human experience.

As a practitioner of Mindful Self-Compassion, I always bring compassion into my mindfulness practices. Compassion helps us recognize our own pain and also our shared humanity, allowing us to remember that we all suffer with grief and difficult emotions from time to time. When we practice this type of compassion, we extend kindness and understanding to ourselves and others, acknowledging our common struggles. We are more gentle and accepting of our own pain, without the need to suppress it or run from it. 

In this event series, we’ll use the power of community to gather in a supportive environment to explore these practices together. We’ll engage in guided mindfulness and compassion exercises, and then create a space for sharing, allowing ourselves to witness and honor each other.

By sharing our inner experiences, we’re not seeking to fix or solve anything. We’re simply acknowledging that we’re not alone in our struggles. This process of shared vulnerability can be incredibly healing, allowing us to feel seen and understood. It reminds us that we’re part of a larger web of interconnectedness, a community that supports and lifts each other up.

Whether you’ve experienced a personal trauma or are simply feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the world, this event series is for you. No prior experience with mindfulness or compassion practices is necessary. Just come with an open heart and a willingness to heal together. Let’s gather, breathe, and find our way back to peace and resilience, one mindful breath and compassionate heart at a time.

Join the Free Friday Series – Working With Difficult Emotions to heal in community
https://WorkingwithDifficultEmotions.eventbrite.com