BOTH-AND

happy and sad at the same time...

Kasey Musgraves

Have you ever heard the phrase both-and?

Well, look at the picture above. What do you see? Beautiful mountains? Me looking like I am having a fantastic time, relaxed and soaking it all in? You're right. AND I also just got over having a panic attack and was still feeling a little uneasy. So yes, you can be both happy and sad at the same time as Kacey Musgrave sings.

I recently learned to practice holding both-and, from life coach Makeda Pennycooke and I have found it incredibly helpful. Usually, I tend to gravitate towards all-or-nothing thinking. Either the event is going great, or it's a disaster and ruined. However, on our two-week trip to Colorado, I had to put both-and into work and bounce back when I felt anxious or exhausted. I don't know why my anxiety was escalated on the trip. Sometimes my anxiety happens out of nowhere. Maybe it was the altitude or lack of sleep, or too much wine! Regardless it reared its ugly head. But I am grateful for the experience because it allowed me to practice and learn.

Think for a minute about some both-and phrases.

Both

joy and pain

sorrow and laughter

excitement and anxiety

exhaustion and energy

strength and weakness

How is it possible to experience these contradicting emotions and feelings at the same time? Perhaps by "being" instead of "doing." I am a fixer, and my initial reaction to pain, anxiety, exhaustion, weakness, etc., is to figure out a way to solve the problem. What if instead, we sat down with the both-and! What if we invited God into this space to sit with us? It is not easy, that's for sure, and it is a practice. But what I am finding is it takes less work to choose one emotion over the other.

Next time you find yourself in a both-and situation, I encourage you to try "being" instead of "doing," even if it is only for a few moments and even if it feels uncomfortable. Drop me a note or leave a comment and let me know how it goes!

Blessings for BOTH-AND!

Walking the Journey with You!

Megan

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