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Our fear of feeling to the core of our feelings - whether they be sadness, resentment, anger, jealousy or grief - keeps us from being as powerful in our lives as we can be.  So allowing yourself to feel sadness does not mean you are sentencing yourself to a life of self-indulgent misery, tears and suffering.   Not at all!   Rather, when you reflect on your losses and get present to any residual sadness that’s been left unacknowledged, you open your heart to release suffering and grow your capacity to experience love, joy, compassion, meaning, and gratitude on deeper levels than before.

The Importance of Sharing Your Sadness
The more we open our hearts to others - sharing our heartaches, fears, sorrows and joys alike - the more meaningful our relationships can become. Too often though, people resist sharing their pain and sadness.  Rather than own it they slap on a smile and greet the world with a big happy face. However, when we keep things to ourselves we are denying others the opportunity to love us, to care for us, to support us and to share in our pain and to become more deeply connected to us.
 
Of course I’m not advocating that you break down in a sobbing mess to your mailman or hairdresser. I am simply saying that it’s important to share how you feel with those you trust. Sure sharing ‘fun times’ with friends is wonderful, but sharing yourself during ‘not so fun’ times can enrich your relationships immeasurably more.   Whenever someone shares their pain or loss with me, it provides me the opportunity to express my love for them in ways I couldn’t otherwise. This, in its own way, is a gift and honor to me.  
 
No Time Like The Present
And what about you? What sadness have you failed to fully acknowledge that could be standing in the way of you enjoying a greater sense of meaning in your life, deeper friendships and more joy?  If my words have resonated with you on some level then I really encourage you to take the time to do the exercise below - taken from my book Find Your Courage!  which explores more fully each of the emotions which keep us from living life wholeheartedly.  It could be very healing and helpful to you.  

So until next week, live boldly, shine brightly, feel deeply!
Margie