The power over our reactions to feelings

I was guided to a beautiful reading in my Al Anon reader last night Courage to Change. I was feeling a little heartache and lonely and sad and this reading made sense to me in a way it would not have before, as I know I don’t have control over my feelings (which are related to situations with two people in my life) but these days I know I do have power in how I relate to those feelings, even though this is a truth I have taken some time to absorb.

…I have learned that feelings aren’t shortcomings.  The true nature of my problem was my stubborn refusal to acknowledge feelings, to accept them, and to let them go.  I have very little power over what feelings arise, but what I choose to do about them is my responsibility.

Today I can accept my feelings, share about them with others, recognise they are feelings, not facts, and let them go.  I’m no longer stuck in a state of seemingly endless rage or self pity, for when I give myself permission to feel whatever I feel, the feelings pass.  My emotions have not been removed, instead, I have been relieved of shortcoming tha blocked my self acceptance.

My experience lately has been similar, the key as always is acceptance and a willingness to face what sometimes I fear or find it very difficult to face.