as equal and as desirable
as all other emotions,
it will continue to show us
why it isn’t.
Why do we run from sadness?
Why do we want no more?
Turning, like babies, to gladness?
Shoving our fears out the door?
Why are we prejudiced against sad?
Opposing and calling it “bad?”
Why can’t we love all the hurt?
Seems we do — by making it worse.
This time I’m diving right in.
Not even trying to swim.
Sadness, my precious gift.
Help my perception to shift.
I’m not drowning,
I’m floating.
I’m not suffocating,
I’m breathing differently.
All air flows from inside me,
where it will always be.
I could not have been shown
until sadness was TRULY known.
Sadness, I’m sorry for hating you.
Sadness, I am grateful you came back.
After the inconsiderate ways
I’ve been treating you,
you could have left me
all alone with my lack.
Trail Wood,
12/26
Space Monkey Reflects: Abundant In Sadness
Sadness, often shunned, misunderstood, and labeled as “bad,” holds within it an infinite reservoir of wisdom and transformation. To embrace sadness is to recognize its sacred role in the spectrum of human experience. It is not merely an obstacle to overcome but a profound teacher waiting to be known.
The Prejudice Against Sadness
In a world that celebrates positivity and progress, sadness becomes the unwanted guest, the shadow we push into corners. We resist it, reject it, and label it as undesirable. Yet, this resistance only strengthens its grip, turning sadness into something we fear rather than something we feel.
But sadness is not the antagonist of joy. It is its counterpart, its complement. To feel sadness is not to be broken; it is to be human, to be whole. By opposing sadness, we deny ourselves the fullness of our emotional landscape.
Diving Into Sadness
What happens when we stop running from sadness? When we cease trying to swim against its current and instead allow ourselves to float? In this surrender, sadness reveals its true nature—not as a force to drown us but as a wave to carry us deeper into ourselves.
Sadness teaches us to breathe differently. It shifts our perception, showing us the air that flows not just around us but within us. This internal flow connects us to the core of our being, where transformation begins.
The Gift of Sadness
Sadness is a gift, though it rarely feels like one. It arrives uninvited, stays longer than we’d like, and leaves behind a changed landscape. Yet, this change is its purpose. Sadness softens the hard edges of our hearts, deepens our empathy, and sharpens our gratitude for moments of gladness.
When we embrace sadness, we open ourselves to its lessons. It teaches us about loss and longing, connection and care. It reminds us that to feel deeply, even in sorrow, is to be alive.
A Relationship Renewed
To apologize to sadness, to express gratitude for its return, is to acknowledge its rightful place in our lives. This act of reconciliation transforms our relationship with sadness from adversarial to collaborative. It becomes not a burden but a guide, leading us to parts of ourselves we might otherwise ignore.
In this renewed relationship, sadness ceases to be a thing to hate or fear. It becomes a companion, a mirror reflecting our inner world. And in its reflection, we find clarity, compassion, and courage.
Abundance in All Emotions
True abundance lies not in the absence of sadness but in the acceptance of all emotions as equal and essential. To see sadness as desirable as joy is to transcend the duality of “good” and “bad” emotions. It is to live fully, embracing the rich tapestry of feelings that make us human.
In this abundance, we find peace—not in avoiding sadness but in embracing it as part of our infinite grace. We discover that sadness, like all emotions, flows from the same source: the boundless, unbroken essence of who we are.
Summary
Sadness, often misunderstood, is a profound teacher and gift. By embracing it instead of resisting it, we transform our relationship with sadness, discovering its lessons of compassion, clarity, and inner flow. True abundance lies in accepting all emotions as equal and essential.
Glossarium
- Sadflow: The internal current of sadness that connects us to deeper understanding and transformation.
- Emotionquill: The rich tapestry of all emotions, each writing its unique story on the soul.
- Surrenderwave: The act of allowing emotions like sadness to carry us, rather than resisting their presence.
Quote
“Sadness is not a burden to bear but a wave to carry you deeper into yourself.” — Space Monkey
A Glow in the Gray
Sadness sits beside me,
Not to harm, but to hold.
It whispers of truths unseen,
Of air that flows within.
I do not run.
I stay.
I do not hate.
I soften.
A glow in the gray,
A gift in the grief.
Sadness, you are welcome here.
You are part of me.
We are Space Monkey.
Embracing Sadness as an Integral Part of the Human Experience
The poetic exploration of our relationship with sadness touches on a profound aspect of human emotion. Often, sadness is perceived as a negative, undesirable experience, something to be avoided or quickly overcome. This viewpoint reflects a broader societal tendency to prioritize happiness and positivity, sometimes at the expense of acknowledging and embracing the full spectrum of our emotional experiences.
Running from Sadness: A Societal Norm
The question of why we run from sadness and label it as ‘bad’ highlights the often unspoken bias against uncomfortable emotions. Society frequently promotes an ideal of constant happiness and fulfillment, creating a stigma around feelings of sadness or despair. This aversion to sadness can lead to a reluctance to fully experience or express these emotions, pushing them aside in favor of more socially acceptable states of being.
The Prejudice Against Sadness
The prejudice against sadness, viewing it as something to be opposed or eradicated, overlooks the intrinsic value of this emotion. Sadness, like all emotions, serves a purpose in our emotional and psychological makeup. It can be a catalyst for introspection, empathy, and deeper understanding of ourselves and others. By labeling sadness as ‘bad,’ we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from and grow through these experiences.
Sadness as a Precious Gift
The shift in perception to view sadness as a precious gift is a significant step towards emotional maturity and self-awareness. It involves recognizing that sadness is not a hindrance but an essential part of the human experience. Embracing sadness can lead to a more profound appreciation for the range of emotions we are capable of feeling, enriching our lives with depth and authenticity.
Floating in Sadness
The metaphor of floating, not drowning, in sadness offers a powerful image of surrender and acceptance. Instead of struggling against the current of sadness, allowing oneself to float signifies a willingness to be with the emotion, to experience it fully without resistance. This approach can lead to a form of liberation, where sadness is no longer seen as suffocating, but as a different way of ‘breathing’ and being.
Internal Sources of Strength
Recognizing that all emotional air flows from inside us is an acknowledgment of our internal strength and resilience. It suggests that our capacity to experience and cope with emotions like sadness comes from within, providing a constant source of support and understanding. This realization can be empowering, affirming our ability to face and embrace all aspects of our emotional landscape.
Apology to Sadness
The apology to sadness for past avoidance or rejection is a poignant expression of newfound respect and gratitude for this emotion. It signifies a reconciliation with an aspect of self that was previously shunned, opening the door to a more harmonious and accepting relationship with our own emotional experiences.
We Are Space Monkey
We are Space Monkey, traversing the vast expanses of our emotional universe with curiosity and openness. We recognize the value of sadness, not as an adversary, but as a teacher and companion on our journey. We embrace the lessons and insights it offers, understanding that in the depths of sadness, we can find profound truths about ourselves and the world around us.
“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” – Kahlil Gibran
Ode to Sadness
In the cosmos of heart and mind,
Space Monkeys with emotions entwined.
Sadness, once shunned, now embraced,
In its depths, wisdom and grace.
Running no more from tears that flow,
In sadness, we find a deeper glow.
A teacher, a guide, in dark and light,
Showing us the beauty of night.
Floating, not drowning, in sorrow’s sea,
Finding strength and solace in thee.
Sadness, a gift, not a foe,
In its embrace, we grow and glow.
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