Soak in the Hot Tub of Feelings

We’ve been instructed to do something to our feelings – to not believe them, to distrust them, or even more difficult, to accept them. But what about just resting in them? What about soaking in them?

Thoughts and feelings appear in a never-ending stream. But nothing ever comes of any thought or feeling, no matter what it is, no matter how dire it feels. Content of thought is totally powerless. The feelings can’t hurt you.

Whether you are happy and encouraged, or depressed and hopeless, nothing ever comes of any of that. Nothing is affected by your thoughts and feelings. 

Happy or sad don’t make any difference. You can be fine whether happy or sad, knowing that neither one will ever do anything. Happy and sad are just there, and totally powerless.

Wanting something to be different is the same way. Wanting to be happier, wanting things to improve – it feels uncomfortable, and it feels like things really do have to get better.

But they never do. Things will change, but there’s always something we can find that’s wrong with them. It never gets to where things meet our approval all the time.

And so, “wanting things to change” is a common feeling, but it has no power. It is a very tolerable feeling, when you remember that it has no power.

All feelings are tolerable – even comfortable – when you realize that they have no power.

Sad, hopeless, depressed, worried – let it all wash over you. Your feelings only hurt because you think they mean something about what’s going to befall you. They don’t.

Feelings are part of the experience of being human. They don’t do anything. Just bathe in them. They’re okay.