Holidays bring up emotions. Many of them are positive. We “celebrate” holidays. We gather with family and “loved” ones. We toast good “cheer” to each other, we“cheer” our favorite sports teams, and we sing songs of “joy” and glad tidings.
Underneath the surface are the usually unspoken ones, stuffed way down below so no one will know. Feelings about missing loved ones, loneliness, or left-outedness. Financial stresses intensify – will there be enough to pay for the extra food? And what about costs of travel if family is far away?
I have learned that I often stuff emotions so far down I don’t even know I have them. One day after the election, I was struggling to focus on tasks for building my practice as a healer and getting word out about my new book, The Art of Listening to Angels. I wasn’t sure why it was so hard to motivate myself to move to write the next email or make the next phone call. A part of it was that these are new skills for me. I also knew there was much more going on because I felt terrible.
In the midst of this muckiness, I took a walk. It was a beautiful fall day. In the East Coast of the United States, we have had a number of those this year. I knew a walk would be good for my body and my mind. I did not know it was good for my emotions as well. By the time I returned home, I was crying. All of those feelings that I had stuffed after the election moved up to my conscious awareness, and I could not hold back the tears. I let them flow. After that, I felt much better.
I came back home and started writing. I asked my angels for help and words started to flow. It felt so much better having moved those stuffed feelings to the surface so they could be released. I could feel peace and joy again as I wrote.
This year the emotions may be more heightened on Thanksgiving Day if family members are on opposite sides of the wide political divide in the country. It may be a time to feel them yet find a way to express them in love rather than anger.
I used to be easily triggered by political discussions at family gatherings. I held my mother’s view that politics and religion were not topics for the dinner table. My brother held a different view and since most of our Thanksgivings were at his house, I first had to get over losing that argument and then had to listen to views that pushed my buttons.
Thankfully, I have become more tolerant and understand over the years. I realize that different opinions do not have to divide people. I may not be able to figure out how or why those opinions are held, but so what.
Love is so much more important than needing to be right or winning any argument. I no longer care to change someone or their point of view. Yes, I plan to speak my truth as lovingly and peacefully as I can. I just do not need to convince anyone that my opinion is best.
At the same time, it is important for me to stay in touch with my emotions. If triggered, I may have to remove myself from the situation so that I can feel them and understand what is underneath them. When I can come from a place of love, then I can return to the conversation. Angels help me do this. Sometimes I have to contact a human angel to do this successfully.
Whatever you may be feeling this holiday season,choose to feel your feelings rather than ignore them. If you have trouble, call a friend or seek some help! The angels are always thereto assist. You need only ask.
Find your way through them back to a place of love –for yourself, for your family, and even for those who hold different views.
With much love and light,
Lilia Shoshanna Rae
Author of The Art of Listening to Angels