Sadness is one of those emotions people will take a detour of a hundred miles to avoid.
No one wants to hear about it. They don’t want to show it or experience it. They fear it and don’t even want to be near someone who suffers from it. Sometimes that means avoiding me since I am a walking reminder of a really terrible thing that happened. Death of a child. Even worse, a suicide.
There are articles on how to let go of sadness. Articles on how to “cure” it and even ones on how to turn sadness into what we relish most of all, happiness. There are many books, articles on finding happiness and keeping it in your life.
Happiness is the Holy Grail. Sadness is the stinker no one loves.
Think, for a minute, how many amazing paintings, books, or songs have been created when someone was overcome with grief, loss, or sadness.
Instead of avoiding it, I’ve learned to incorporate it into my life. Even diving right in and embracing it with a big bear hug when it hovers over me because those are opportunities to remember my son, Charles, and feel his presence.
All emotions are temporary. And I’ve learned that by giving myself permission to be sad, I can find and experience joy.
Allowing sadness doesn’t make me sadder. It allows me to relish, with deeper gratitude, those moments of joy.
Very true, and so important to grieve. Keeping it locked away may make other people feel better, but the mourning feels worse.
Your words have helped me today. Thank you, Anne Moss.
I’m so happy to hear that, Leigh.