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THREE STEPS FOR
inspiration
Three Steps for Facing Difficult Emotions
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by Shauna Shapiro
All of us can feel the impact of these uncertain and challenging times on our hearts and in our nervous systems. While there are parts of the situation that we cannot control, that does not mean we are powerless. When we’re up against change, uncertainty and stress, resilience is the key to navigate life and emerge with more happiness and satisfaction. We can cultivate resilience through the practices of mindfulness and compassion. Here are three key steps to finding greater clarity, calm and well-being. Naming our emotions. The first step is to bring mindfulness to whatever we are feeling and simply name it. Research shows that acknowledging and naming our emotions allows the body to physiologically calm down. It is helpful to remember that our emotions are here for a reason, metaphorically serving as a smoke alarm to let us know about an impending fire. Ignoring or repressing our emotions can lead to bigger problems, but mindfulness teaches us a different way to manage difficult emotions—acknowledge them and name what we feel—“name it to tame it”. When we name an emotion, it puts the brakes on our reactivity, downregulates the nervous system and allows us to see clearly.
Welcoming our emo-
tions. The second step is to learn to welcome difficult emotions. Emotions have a limited time span, typically lasting for only 30 to 90 seconds. They arise, do their dance and pass away, like waves in the ocean. When we remember that this painful feeling will not last forever, it becomes more manageable. Through practice, we julie/AdobeStock.com can learn to welcome all our emotions with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. This involves becoming interested in the emotion and the felt experience in the body. For example, we may feel sadness as a tightening in the throat or fear as a contraction in the belly. All emotions have their signature in the body. Compassion for ourselves and others. The final step to managing difficult emotions is to cultivate compassion. Self-compassion involves treating ourselves as we would a dear friend that is suffering. The willingness to face the pain in ourselves and in life takes great courage. As we practice self-compassion, we learn not only to grow from our own struggles and sorrows, but to connect with the sufferings and sorrows of others. We realize that we are not alone in our fear and overwhelm, and become aware of the many others right now that are also afraid. As we recognize our common humanity, our isolation begins to lessen and we understand that we are all in this together.
Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and compassion whose most recent book is Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness & Self-Compassion Practices to Rewire the Brain for Calm Clarity and Joy. For more information, visit DrShaunaShapiro.com.
Intuitive & Healing Arts
Angel Aura Returns to In-Person Services
Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique, in the Village of Pawling, is celebrating its third anniversary with a return to in-person services, two new monthly events and a special sale in May. “It’s been a tough year, as the shop has opened and closed a few times, but we’re back open, offering all services in person and via phone and Zoom,” says owner Diane Rivera. “I’m so happy to have Sunday Diane Rivera Tea and Meditation back. I missed my tribe.” At the Tea and Meditation, held Sundays at 1 p.m., participants work to open and balance their chakras, connecting with their spirit and animal-spirit guides, she says.
“We also share mini-readings, so if you have a deck you would like to work with, be sure to bring them. Or if you would like to try another deck, I always have several available to work with,” she says. The cost is $20.
The new monthly events are the Spiritual Gathering Book Club meeting on May 15 at 1 p.m. and the Spirit Circle on May 21 at 6:30 p.m.
The book club shares spiritual experiences and growth through conversation and a book of the group’s choice, Rivera says. “This is our second meeting. Although we did pick two books to begin with, we’ll still be discussing which books and topics the group would like to start with at this meeting. I’ll have some books on hand as a choice. The cost is by love donation.”
The Spirit Circle is a small group where Rivera and guest psychic mediums provide messages, guidance and spiritual healing. Seating is limited to 10, so an RSVP is required. The cost is $20.
In honor of Mother’s Day and the store’s anniversary, all halfhour readings will be $60 during the month of May.
Location: Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique, 12 W. Main St., Pawling (Village), NY. For more info, call 845.493.0432, email AngelAuraSpiritualBoutique@gmail.com or visit the store at AngelAuraBoutique.com or on Facebook. See ad, page 19.
ASTROLOGY
Pam Cucinell Phone, online & in person 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com
ENERGY HEALING
Elizabeth Pasquale, CST, NLP Bemer, Cranial, Lymph, NLP At home, office or remotely WellOnTheWay.org; 607.351.7024
ENERGY MEDICINE
Bernadette Bloom, MI Energy Healing & Teacher 239.289.3744 theesotericbloom.com
INTUITIVE ENERGY HEALING
The Temperance Center Merrill Black, LCSW Reiki Master/Instructor Light Body Quantum Healings 914.793.2600 TheTemperanceCenter.com
INTUITIVE HEALING
White Lotus Grace Intuitive Healing, Readings & Dance Millbrook + Virtual Sanctuary 845.677.3517 whitelotusgrace.com
NATURE & FOREST THERAPY
Nature’s Whispers Guided Meditative Walks thru Nature Dutchess/Putnam/Westchester 845.489.7250 MeditativeWalks.com
NEW AGE STORES
The Soul Connection Crystals. Jewelry. Books. More 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor, NY 914.737.HEAL soulconnectionshop.com Synchronicity Psychics/Crystals Candles/Tarot/Sage 1511 Route 22 Brewster @synchronicityny 845.363.1765 SynchronicityNY.com
PSYCHIC MEDIUM
Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique 12 West Main St, Pawling, NY 845.493.0432 AngelAuraBoutique.com
Celestial Touch Laura Schek, Psychic Medium, Reiki Master 7 Arch St, Pawling, NY 845.244.1767 celestialtouchllc.com
QIGONG
In Balance Concepts Qigong. Tai Chi. Meditation 2505 Rt. 6, St. 108, Brewster 845.803.1992 Inbalancetaichi.com
REIKI
Anne H. Bentzen, MSOT Jikiden Reiki Teacher/ Practitioner West Harrison, NY 914.588.4079 balancing4life.com
Edit Babboni, CHC, RYT 200 Reiki Healing. Health Coaching. Yoga. 61 Lakeview Drive, Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529 yoga.zengarden@gmail.com
WELLNESS BOUTIQUE
The Healing Collective NY 267A Central Ave. White Plains Shop & Heal: 914.236.HEAL thehealingcollectiveny.com
