Renee DSouza Psychotherapy and Counselling
#210-347 Leon Avenue V1Y 8C7 Kelowna, BC, Canada

Artful words often mirror our inner world as we try to make meaning of our suffering. This is a timeless pursuit. I hope there may be some words here, in these poems, with which you resonate.

After group meditation this morning, our instructor shared this poem by Mark Nepo. It really stirred my heart and mind. I share it here with hopes it stirs you too. With much gratitude to Mark Nepo... http://marknepo.com/poems_breaking.php

Check out the latest research about emotions and music at Berkley! https://news.berkeley.edu/20//06/music-evokes-13-emotions/

More resources: https://gratefulness.org//caring-for-self-and-others-in-t/

https://centerhealthyminds.org/join-the-mov/your-well-being

Support Resource : The Calm App https://blog.calm.com/take-a-deep-breath

Meditation Resources for this challenging time: Gratitude to all the teachers... Insight Meditation Society:... https://www.dharma.org/online-daily-reflection-and-meditat/

https://www.heartmath.com//health-an/how-to-disrupt-worry/

I am deeply moved by things. Id hate to miss the intense joy of that. Elaine N. Aron, The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others. Brené BrownDaring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others. Brené Brown

https://www.heartmath.com//10-traits-of-emotionally-resil/

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."Henry Thoreau

"You can have compassion for yourself-which is not self-pity. You're simply recognizing that 'this is tough, this hurts,' and bringing the same warmhearted wish for suffering to lessen or end that you would bring to any dear friend grappling with the same pain, upset, or challenges as you."Rick Hanson, Just One Thing

https://www.facebook.com/BBCOne/videos/172938577351802/UzpfSTcxMDIyMTgwOToxMDE1Njg5Mzg3OTczODIwMQ/

Carl Jung, fellow HSP, did much writing and research on personality, introversion, extroversion, and many more psychological processes after he split with Freud. In this picture and quote he really expresses his preference for introversion and the soothing healing he finds in quiet solitude. If you resonate with the term high sensitivity or sensory processing sensitivity ... what reaction do you have to the concept of quiet solitude ?

Wise words from an emotional warrior I know... Clearing space is uncomfortable; cleared space is filled with calm, clarity, compassion. When we allow ourselves to be curious about, explore, and truly experience uncomfortable emotions something unexpected can emerge on the other side... a release, a relief, and an open space that is filled with feelings, sensations, and thoughts we may never have imagined would be there. ... If after experiencing an emotion you still feel bad/uncomfortable... this means the emotion has not completed its cycle. Please do not try this alone if this is new for you. Share your ideas of this with a trusted other who is loving and supportive. Some informative reading material... if you are curious... Living Like You Mean It, Ron Frederick. It's Not Always Depression, Hilary Jacobs Hendel Warm wishes to you today for a heart filled with calm, clarity, compassion.

If being "highly sensitive" resonates with you... research shows that one characteristic is that we seek to make deeper meaning from our environment and experiences. This is where overwhelm can sometimes enter if we continue to deepen and deepen without limits. Later I will share some strategies/experiments to try if deepening causes you angst. Right now I want to share a thought.... If we effort and deepen and explore meanings and insights on such a level don't we also need to soothe and heal on deep levels as well? What strategies or practices do you engage in that helps you soothe/heal/connect to your authentic self? My go to's are: instrumental musical montage from youtube, cuddle time with my dog on my bed with a fan to cool the air and blinds closed and some deep nourishing breathing.