Some Good News About (Good and Bad) Moods

  I love music. There's a track on the Piano soundtrack titled, "The Mood That Passes Through You." I was always struck by those words put together. And then, I began to experience how it happens--how moods pass through us.

Moods do that. They pass. I didn't always realize that and quite often, I'd get stuck in a panic when a bad mood hit. Come to think of it, sometimes it would happen (and still does) when something good is happening.

Fear and excitement feel the same way in the body. Joshua Rosenthal, the founder and director of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, said that during my training to become a health coach and I loved it.

When I began to study Buddhism and learned the concept of impermanence, I came to know that nothing was permanent--or final. Nothing lasted forever. It goes for feelings that DO feel good. Those are impermanent. And it also included feelings or moods that didn't feel so good.

That's good news, I think, to anyone struggling with difficult feelings. It was for me, anyway. I relied on this during moments of depression, anxiety and when I battled strong thoughts of suicide several times in my life. I remember sitting and feeling so horrible, with a hopelessness that left me paralyzed. It scared me, because I don't usually feel that way on a regular basis. 

I felt that way the other day. I was struggling with a difficult feeling, wanting control or to know a certain outcome. It was also raining outside, it had been spritzing all day and suddenly there was a downpour about 15 minutes before I needed to leave my car. I wasn't late or rushing and I had no umbrella or boots on, so I decided to wait it out and see if it passed.

I sent a few texts, checked my facebook and instagram account and saw some loving comments and notes. Minutes passed. It was time to leave my car and I realized the downpour had passed.

My bad feeling had, too.

I got out of the car and felt the connection so strongly, I figured I'd share it with you. Next time you feel something that is uncomfortable, see if you can remember to sit it out and wait until it passes.

Because the moods pass through you, like a bird crossing the sky or a rain shower, if you just give them a chance to do it. 

What's there for you to see once they do?