I saw a tweet earlier in the week in which someone commented about how sad she felt. I do not know her specific circumstances but it got me thinking about sadness as a human emotion (separate and apart from depression which is very different).
This much I believe I know:
We cannot appreciate true joy without knowing real sadness. It is the dichotomy between those emotions that makes each of them so very powerful.
Sadness is confirmation that we have a heart…and a conscience. While that may sometimes lead to pain, I would much rather have a heart and a conscience than not.
Being fully present requires our whole selves all the time, not just when it feels good. We must experience the sadness to know the joy; the challenges to gain the opportunities; the questions to seek the answers; the loneliness to appreciate the friendship.
For most of us, sadness as an emotion is temporary. It will slowly melt away. Life will get better. We will move from mourning to rejoicing, from sorrow to gladness, from upset to calm; from being hurt to being healed.
For some of us, sadness is, well, sadly, a way of living. Reach out and reach out often. Someone will care. Someone will listen. Someone will want to help lift you up.
For all of us, remember that the path to peace is through a compassionate heart. Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself.
