Do not dwell in darkness like a night bird
prey for the monsters of your imagination.
Get up and seek the light, look towards the sun.

– Rumi

Recently, I got some devastating news and I found myself immediately slipping into what one of my friends fondly dubbed “catastrophizing.” I imagined the worst scenarios that could come from this. Fear crippled me. My immediate reaction to this, then, was to go to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and utterly ignore my feelings. This did not serve me, either. Instead, I found myself bitter and angry. Now, I am trying out the grey area between catastrophizing and denying reality. I am honoring my feelings and accepting them for what they are in the moment rather than rejecting them or speculating about the future. I accept that I feel sad and scared but choose not to let that affect my serenity.

A meditation for February 9, 2013.

Don't Worry, Be Happy – Bob Marley