I don’t think it’s fair that our society is constantly telling us to be happy. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love being happy. I am happy I would say most of my days here on Earth. I strive to be happy as often as possible, and I really try not to let little insignificant things get me down. But here’s another thing: I am okay with being sad sometimes.
Something was brought to my attention recently, and I really liked how it was said. Someone reached out to me and told me, it’s okay to be sad, it doesn’t mean you’re falling into some deep and dark depression. Actually, it’s perfectly normal to be sad. Think about it. Without the days when you are sad and maybe hurting, you won’t know what true happiness or true joy is. But also, life comes with good and bad and there is no stopping that.
No matter how positively you live, how clean you eat, how many times a day you tell yourself you love yourself, there will still be bad things in your life. Love and loss are two major parts of our lives that can cause us to be sad. And that is totally fine.
I learned through yoga and through reading a very special book, “Yoga Girl” by Rachel Brathen, that it is okay to accept the highs and lows of life. My whole life I had been taking the lows way too hard. I would put so much pressure on myself and cry and constantly be worried about what other people were thinking. But then I read this book and I realized who cares! My life is being lived by me, so I will live it as I choose. I think many people can relate to the idea of taking their lows way too hard. It’s normal to be sad that you are sad or be sad that something not so great happened to you, like maybe you lost your job or your car broke down.
I’ve accepted the highs and lows. I’ve stopped fighting them. It’s brought me a lot of peace. When I am sad, I welcome it with open arms. But I do the same when I am happy. Is this making sense?
It’s an important skill to be able to balance the good and the bad that life brings us. This is the first step. The first step allows you to make peace with the sad, depressing, and hurtful things that come our way. Once you do this, your life will be much more peaceful. Once you look at life and realize that no one is out to get you and that the universe isn’t hating on you, then you will find some peace.
Just keep in mind that it’s okay to be sad. Don’t worry about it. It is a part of life.
