As a person who has also experienced darkness, sadness, and grief, I can absolutely attest to the truth of what Gurdeep says about sadness, and joy. I lost my dearest love 4 months ago, and am grieving - experiencing sadness, loss, fear, anger - all the miseries of life after the loss of a loved one, and yet, as Gurdeep suggests, when I seek out moments of joy, when I write in my gratitude journal, I feel appreciation. When I do something physical, I feel more alive.
Dear Gurdeep, you write beautifully, and I am thankful for you, and for taking the time to read your article on sadness today.
Dear S. Enns, thank you for reading and sharing your kind feedback with a touching life incident. I am sending my condolences, thoughts, and hugs to you and your family. It's encouraging to read that you write in your gratitude journal and do something physical too. The path to joy doesn't necessitate eradicating sadness completely; it's all about finding some balance between both. You are already on that path.
Your reflections are wonderfully insightful and embrace the complexity of the human experience. I love your generosity and compassion that you share through your posts.
Gurdeep Thanks again for your message of living authentically thru trials and tribulations. I continue to monitor your journey. I am currently searching for a life preserving medication that I cannot afford financially thus my life is uncertain. My gratitude is unchanged Sorrow is sacred ground of the soul. Blessings to you, Cathy
Reclaiming, Restoring, Refreshing, Re-Opening are words you use in excellent context Gurdeep. You are correct when you say that after trauma we have to rebuild and rediscover our true selves. In an everyday sense too, we must Regard (Re-Guard!) our sensitivities so we can coach our inner child to be strong while maintaining our joyous innocence.
Thank you for this sharing, Gurdeep. Almost a year ago I moved out into the remote forested hills of Northern Idaho. I was on the edge of a deep depression and chronic anxiety had a solid hold on me too. I was both terrified of the prospect of being alone with my feelings and desperate to face whatever was holding me back. As a single black woman, my family and friends thought I was either bold or going off the deep end by choosing such a politically and culturally conservative place. It's been 9 months and I'm just now starting to feel like I'm here, present. I needed every one of those days to let go of something different that would arise to challenge my quest for peace and contentment. You're right that it is a journey, but now I'm starting to see the profound impact it's had on my inner world and the thoughts I put out into the world. I appreciate very much what you're doing. Your contributions are a source of inspiration and strength for this fellow joy seeker. Thank you.
Thank you, Gurdeep! As you probably know, I can very much relate to this article being on disability as I have severe chronic depression among other health issues. Where you discovered inner joy and physical movement in your utter despair and without anything to lose, me too but what I discovered was God, nearly 2 years ago. And in late May of this year, I joined Headspace to meditate each day for joy. Take great care of yourself!
Sadness like all emotions are usually driven by events that we make personal to ourselves, sometimes created by our own minds and how we view ourselves and our beliefs. We can limit our negative feelings by not allowing our minds to control our thoughts, letting go of our expectations and not listening to the “conversation “ in our heads.
When we listen to our mental “conversation” we can listen to it without judgment, hear it without opinion or answer and you will find that when you do this the negativity that your mind is creating through this “conversation” will stop and your negative feelings will diminish until they are gone. This exercise can help control the negative feelings when they come to visit and free you from negativity.
I really needed your words today, the past weeks have been very difficult. Sadness has enveloped my world, it’s so trying at times to shrug it off. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
As a person who has also experienced darkness, sadness, and grief, I can absolutely attest to the truth of what Gurdeep says about sadness, and joy. I lost my dearest love 4 months ago, and am grieving - experiencing sadness, loss, fear, anger - all the miseries of life after the loss of a loved one, and yet, as Gurdeep suggests, when I seek out moments of joy, when I write in my gratitude journal, I feel appreciation. When I do something physical, I feel more alive.
Dear Gurdeep, you write beautifully, and I am thankful for you, and for taking the time to read your article on sadness today.
Dear S. Enns, thank you for reading and sharing your kind feedback with a touching life incident. I am sending my condolences, thoughts, and hugs to you and your family. It's encouraging to read that you write in your gratitude journal and do something physical too. The path to joy doesn't necessitate eradicating sadness completely; it's all about finding some balance between both. You are already on that path.
his being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Jalaluddin Rumi
from Rumi: Selected Poems, trans Coleman Barks with John Moynce, A. J. Arberry, Reynold Nicholson (Penguin Books, 2004)
Thank you, Susan, for sharing these golden words from the greatest Rumi.
Your reflections are wonderfully insightful and embrace the complexity of the human experience. I love your generosity and compassion that you share through your posts.
Your dancing makes me smile.
Your joy is infectious through your writing. Thank you for sharing them.
Gurdeep Thanks again for your message of living authentically thru trials and tribulations. I continue to monitor your journey. I am currently searching for a life preserving medication that I cannot afford financially thus my life is uncertain. My gratitude is unchanged Sorrow is sacred ground of the soul. Blessings to you, Cathy
Thank you so much for sharing YOUR joy!
Thank you for your positivity and for spreading joy.
Reclaiming, Restoring, Refreshing, Re-Opening are words you use in excellent context Gurdeep. You are correct when you say that after trauma we have to rebuild and rediscover our true selves. In an everyday sense too, we must Regard (Re-Guard!) our sensitivities so we can coach our inner child to be strong while maintaining our joyous innocence.
So beautifully expressed and so very true. It's living in Chardi Kala🙏
Thank you so much for your kind and gentle words. Have a wonderful day. 🙏🏼💗
Thank you for this sharing, Gurdeep. Almost a year ago I moved out into the remote forested hills of Northern Idaho. I was on the edge of a deep depression and chronic anxiety had a solid hold on me too. I was both terrified of the prospect of being alone with my feelings and desperate to face whatever was holding me back. As a single black woman, my family and friends thought I was either bold or going off the deep end by choosing such a politically and culturally conservative place. It's been 9 months and I'm just now starting to feel like I'm here, present. I needed every one of those days to let go of something different that would arise to challenge my quest for peace and contentment. You're right that it is a journey, but now I'm starting to see the profound impact it's had on my inner world and the thoughts I put out into the world. I appreciate very much what you're doing. Your contributions are a source of inspiration and strength for this fellow joy seeker. Thank you.
Beautiful - thank you ❤️
Thank you, Gurdeep! As you probably know, I can very much relate to this article being on disability as I have severe chronic depression among other health issues. Where you discovered inner joy and physical movement in your utter despair and without anything to lose, me too but what I discovered was God, nearly 2 years ago. And in late May of this year, I joined Headspace to meditate each day for joy. Take great care of yourself!
Sadness like all emotions are usually driven by events that we make personal to ourselves, sometimes created by our own minds and how we view ourselves and our beliefs. We can limit our negative feelings by not allowing our minds to control our thoughts, letting go of our expectations and not listening to the “conversation “ in our heads.
When we listen to our mental “conversation” we can listen to it without judgment, hear it without opinion or answer and you will find that when you do this the negativity that your mind is creating through this “conversation” will stop and your negative feelings will diminish until they are gone. This exercise can help control the negative feelings when they come to visit and free you from negativity.
I really needed your words today, the past weeks have been very difficult. Sadness has enveloped my world, it’s so trying at times to shrug it off. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Your dancing always makes me smile - thank you