It’s OK. You Can Let It Out.

As I responded to a question about something that's been tender for me on a recent evening while making dinner, my six-year-old said gently, “You look like you're about to cry, Mom”.  

I hadn't even fully noticed this myself yet, but she was right. I was subtly clenching up, part of me trying to stuff that emotion down. 

She called me over to her, cradled my cheeks in her little hands, looked me lovingly in the eyes, softly said “It's OK, you can let it out” and hugged me tightly as I let a few tears roll out. 

She gave a sweet little smile, seeming content that I was able to release a bit of something I'd been holding in — understanding that this expression was a healthy, positive thing rather than a negative, scary one. 

And even though my daughter is only six, this was a lovely, healing moment of feeling genuinely seen and held.

Empathy and compassion are innate within us humans. 

When we tune in closely enough, we notice that our hearts are touched by suffering in a way that naturally leans us toward alleviating pain — within ourselves or others. 

And the purest way we can do this is to simply hold space for feelings to be whatever and however they are in the moment without judging, analyzing, figuring out, fixing or doing. 

Letting our bodies soften back into their natural resting state opens the channels toward this organic, spacious compassion. 

So what could soften within you even the tiniest bit in this moment? 

What clenching could be released just a bit right where you are right now? 

Here's to us allowing our hearts to feel the warm touch of one another's full humanness one simple, present moment at a time.

Lots of Love,

Melissa

PS - If you’re curious about exploring these themes in a sweetly personalized way, be in touch about 1:1 coaching possibilities.