Chapter 1: Understanding Your Emotional State

Experiencing fatigue? It might not be exhaustion but a sign of suppressed feelings. Recognizing and embracing these emotions can lead to a surge in energy.

I found myself feeling drained and uninspired just yesterday. Despite my efforts to write, I felt blank. My internal dialogue went something like this (my thoughts italicized):

"I'm so exhausted. There's a blog post waiting to be written, yet I can't find the words. Maybe I should just quit this whole writing thing."

"Is that really what you want to say? You should be encouraging me, nudging me toward a more optimistic perspective, reminding me how disheartening it would be to give up now..."

"But why? Is quitting truly a failure? Is perseverance always the right answer, especially in tough times?"

"Yes, indeed."

"But I'm utterly drained. I can't find anything to express."

"Are you truly tired?"

"Absolutely."

"Really?"

"Yes! I've been awake since 5:30 AM, I conducted a full day of training, and I am genuinely worn out."

"Okay then. But what kind of tiredness is this?"

"My eyes are weary. It feels as if my face is carrying a heavy load. My heart feels weighed down."

"Interesting... If there were emotions lurking within your eyes, face, or heart, what would they be?"

"Sadness."

"Mmm. What kind of sadness are we talking about?"

"There's so much grief around me. So many losses. It’s profoundly saddening. Even the smell in Marks and Spencer’s makes me miss Michael."

"Ah, there’s the grief, the loss, and the longing for Michael."

"Exactly."

"And if you were to embrace that grief and longing?"

"I would start by acknowledging that they exist."

This week has brought news of two deaths and two terminal illnesses, alongside time spent with a widow who is struggling to find purpose in life.

All this sorrow. All this fear. All this pent-up anger.

So, you're not just tired.

You're sad, scared, and angry.

Yes. Those emotions were present when I visited Marks and Spencer’s Foodhall for the first time in a while. Why can’t I experience that aroma without tears flowing?

What are those tears really about?

I miss holding Michael’s hand. I miss those moments in the vegetable aisle when I would steal a kiss and a hug just because I could. I miss his well-fitted jeans, his bright blue eyes, and the time we spent selecting our meals together.

I miss simply being with him in the world, surrounded by others. I miss planning our meals, making choices together, and sharing the beauty of our sensory experiences. I miss the feel of his hand, his scent, and the way I would nuzzle into his neck.

Have you been pushing these feelings aside?

You caught me there... After a good cry, my energy started to clear.

I sat with my sad, scared, raging self and acknowledged my feelings. They had every right to exist. I didn’t try to comfort them or talk them out of their sadness.

No more ignoring the true energy deficit.

Once I ceased suppressing my negative emotions—the real energy drain—my energy began to clear, like sediment settling in still water.

When my energy was revitalized, I reminded myself that negative emotions serve as indicators for their opposites. Sadness prompts a desire for joy, fear hints at the potential for confidence, and so on.

As I learn to embrace all my emotions—the sorrow just as much as the joy—I connect with the essence of my being. I am here to love. To love unconditionally means accepting the contrasts, with all their fears and tears.

I cherish my sad, scared, raging self. As I embrace myself, energy flows through me. When energy flows, I find freedom. My face stops feeling heavy. My heart opens once more. Joy becomes accessible again.

Chapter 2: The Healing Power of Acceptance

This video titled "If you're feeling depressed, anxious, sad, or angry WATCH THIS!!!" offers insights into navigating overwhelming emotions and finding peace within.

Another enlightening video, "The Surprising Symptom of Depression- Anger and Irritability," explores how anger can manifest in the context of depression, revealing the importance of addressing our feelings.

As Jeff Foster beautifully articulates in The Way of Rest, “Sweet child, you are often overwhelmed by life, by the weight of unresolved questions and the urgency to make everything work out. You feel burdened by powerful emotions, striving to find resolution quickly, even while trying not to try.”

You are weary, dear one—exhausted from both effort and apathy—and you seek to trust life again. This is not a flaw, but a wonderful opportunity to embrace your need for rest.

It’s crucial to remember that we are not tasked with fixing anything or anyone. The fatigue we feel stems from one illusion: the disconnection that arises when we stop loving our present situation.

When we embrace love, we align ourselves, allowing energy to flow and joy to flourish. Conversely, when we resist, negative emotions guide us back to our true selves.

Exhaustion signals that we have resisted for far too long. We’ve ignored the real energy deficit for too long.

This deficit reflects the gap between who we truly are—UNCONDITIONAL LOVE—and who we allow ourselves to be, whether it’s sad, scared, angry, or something else entirely.

This type of fatigue reveals profound truths.

It’s time to love our way back home.

Let’s delve into a few more lines from Jeff Foster’s The Way of Rest. Let’s take a moment to absorb their soothing wisdom before we conclude.

“Stop trying to heal yourself, fix yourself, even awaken yourself… How many of us are straining too hard, thinking there’s something we need to do about life? Instead, we should relax into loving what is.”

“Let go of letting go. Healing is not a destination.”

We often place immense pressure on ourselves—even the act of letting go turns into a struggle! How liberating it is to release all that effort!

“Your pain, sorrow, doubts, and longings are not mistakes, nor are they pleading for 'healing.' They are requesting to be held. Here and now, gently, in the loving arms of present awareness…”

Embrace your emotions, dear one. Hold them with love, here and now.

If you find yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out.

We aren’t meant to navigate this journey alone.

Acknowledgment: My blogs, my coaching, and my life are built upon many profound teachings, especially those of Abraham-Hicks.