Let the storm pass

From the wakeup call early in the morning, to the last call to switch off the lights, we are constantly on a roller coaster ride of emotions. And on this ride every person, thought and situation becomes a trigger for us to stir up an emotional storm within, ready to hit the shores of sanity. We all have experienced a storm of rage, anxiety, panic etc., all the time, while being stuck in the gridlock traffic for countless terrifying hours or unexpectedly staying over at the office to meet a deadline and the worst is when one takes a day off work to stay at home and relax, but evidently ends up in an argument with the spouse over the lock not been fixed, cook not turning up, or eggs not cooked right!!

We weather an emotional storm all the time and eventually become living storms, storming in and out; drowning people in yours or getting drowned by theirs. Like physical storms of bitter temperatures, snow, and ice that leaves trail of destruction, the aftermath of an emotional storm often leaves us feeling emotionally wrecked, confused, crushed and physically exhausted.

The tides of anger, frustration, regrets and all resentments we have, surface each time we are in a crisis or when we are confronted with failed expectations, rejections and disappointments. During the crisis, the intense feelings of fear, panic, and anger begin to escalate, and whether we storm in or out, it is a no win situation, and the defeat is more than physical.

Our emotions evolve in our head and not the heart; it is the mind that is the minefield of emotions. Mind is like a storehouse of our memories and experiences, while the heart is the storehouse of the soul, it only knows love and peace. Each time while encountering certain words, people or situations reminds us of the unpleasant, sad, or traumatic events and they become our triggers. And the mind reacts in a repetitive manner that it knows best, it lets the negative emotions play on defence.

We all have been in an argument we havenever won, and in all likelihood by the end of the argument, we don’t even remember what the argument was about in the first place. Every argument begins with an action not well taken and an instant reaction coming to make it right. And sometimes people are looking for some instant reactions from others, and no sooner it becomes a ping pong match of chain reactions. All it takes for us is to never get into an argument is to respond and not react. But our mind has trained us to react instantly, so how do we learn to respond?

It is the mind that makes us human, we need to tame it. And it is the heart that makes us spiritual, we need to nurture it, and the best way to nurture a heart is through compassion, for self and for others too.

The more we try to fight the emotional storm, the bigger it gets, and more we try to resist, the storm consumes us like a wildfire. The only way out of the whirlwind created by the emotional storm we are trapped in, is by identifying the emotions one is experiencing at a moment of distress, acknowledging it and taking responsibility for one’s actions and reactions, but not to criticize or punish oneself for things that are just out of one’s control.

Slamming of doors is easier. We are quick to blame others and justify ourselves, but do we need to ride every storm? Why not learn to calm the restless sea inside our mind. Take a pause and practice observing the mind. Hold on for a moment and let the debris of the emotional turmoil that one is facing, settle. Holding on, is not giving in, rather it is not being over reactive to an already volatile situation.

Ask yourself a simple question; is my house on fire, or is it just burnt toast?
Bring the focus on the present moment. When we let our thoughts wander, the negative feelings begin to take over, and overthinking rolls in. We keep moving in the vicious circle of continuously attracting and chasing the same pattern of hurt, with similar people and situations. The circumstances and the people we are in relation with, have a purpose and meaning in our life, with this belief, the storms become more tolerable, the winds quieter.

As a human, it’s absolutely alright to respond in fight and flight, but as a spiritual being, allow yourself to recognize what is good in your life. Have more gratitude for all that is a blessing and even more gratitude for all that is coming as a challenge, for they are going to be the transformative forces of our personal growth, in our journey, in this life as humans. Practice and ace the art of compassion and gratitude. When we hide the storm inside, we become the storm, and then all we seek and see is the destruction. Make peace with your emotions and let the storm pass!!