I have read about the benefits of allowing emotions to pass through my body —not holding on to them, and recovering equilibrium more quickly — in many, many books, but had only ever understood it intellectually. Over the weekend on our long mountain walk I got to experience what it really feels like and to practice experiencing that feeling.
When you are slogging up a steep hill the trick is to establish a slow rhythm and to relax into an almost meditative state as you place one foot after the other on the path, over and over again — for hours.
But then you stumble or trip. The adrenaline courses through your veins, your heart races, and irritation and frustration rush through your body. Usually I would hold onto these feelings and stew in them, feeling sorry for myself and all this discomfort and strain it is taking to get to the top. Wondering why I bother. Contemplating turning back.
But not this time. This time I felt the surge of emotions after the stumble but instead of reacting I watched them. I noticed how they felt physically. I allowed myself to enjoy the rush of adrenaline then let it go as I returned to my steady rhythm and the delights of the sounds, textures and stretching of my next step.
Now I just need to practice applying this new learning to the rest of my life!
The Obvious? 
Yesterday I did a similar thing on my run. Tripped and bloodies my knees on the gravel path. For a split second I thought about checking things and recovering judging my previous steps, (getting angry at myself for cracking my screen protector on my phone).
Then thought about how the adrenaline might improve my time. Literally dusted myself off and ran one of my fastest sections home.
I’m applying and interviewing for jobs this month and taking the knocks in a similar fashion. Their ‘no’ is because it wouldn’t have worked out anyway. Two more today, let’s see how they go 🙂
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Great example. And good luck with the interviews.
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