Day 170 - Staying in the Center

I am grateful I can remain in balance, and find my center without wandering too far off during tumult. I am grateful that I can recognize when my Ego rears up and wants to defend and attack; I have the power to stop it mid-rush, talk it down, and bring my Compassionate Self to the front of a war zone. I am grateful for the training I've received in Non-Violent Communication, for it came to mind when I felt pushed into a corner by someone; instead of fighting my way out, I tried to listen and empathize.

It wasn't perfect, but it was improvement!

I was really distressed last night and I also felt very angry, but I remembered to breathe deeply. I vented my emotions, then I took some time to calm myself after allowing all the feelings to occur. I tried to see what I could learn from this situation and how I could be more understanding and compassionate while retaining the sense of security and safety I need and eschewing guilt and responsibility for another's feelings. While my wish is to be always be loving and compassionate, I also recognize the need for-- and respect my own-- boundaries. Then, with the help of an aptly timed article that popped up, written by Sri Swami Satchidananda, I remembered that life has these ups and down, akin to crests and troughs of a wave, and I surfed myself back out of the trough to return to a center of equanimity.

​All these years, and I am learning! Yay!