Have you ever noticed how life can make you laugh and cry within the same few minutes?
We have some really big feelings, don’t we? I know I sure do.
I was reminded of that recently at the visitation and funeral of the mother of people I love dearly. She was nearly 90, had a good life, and of course it is still too soon for those who loved her. While there was certainly sadness, there was also happiness. People shared stories that had everyone laughing, friends and family were reconnecting after years apart, and I got to meet people who have become part of this family along the way.
There were tears and hugs, laughter and smiles, memories and new connections. There was sadness at the loss of a life, and so much love surrounding the people who were there.
It struck me how much this is what life looks like.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit You can have tremendous joy and deep grief in the same day. Sometimes in the same hour. You can laugh until your stomach hurts and then find yourself wiping away tears. You can feel hopeful about what’s ahead while missing something from the past. You can be having a difficult day and still notice something beautiful.
Life is going to bring you moments you wouldn’t choose, moments you wish could last forever, and plenty of moments that surprise you along the way. You don’t get to decide everything that happens or exactly what you’re going to feel. But you can become more aware of what you’re feeling, make room for it, and choose how you want to move through the moment you’re in.
That might mean allowing yourself to grieve. It might mean letting yourself laugh when you didn’t expect to. It might mean soaking in a beautiful moment instead of rushing past it. Sometimes, it means all of that happens in the same day.
Moving forward, I invite you to:
Let yourself feel what’s here.
This covers the whole range.
Savor the good stuff.
Give joy, excitement, gratitude, connection, and those little moments of happiness your full attention.
Make room for the complicated feelings.
You can be happy about something new and sad about something ending. You can be grateful and still wish something were different.
Notice the moments that make you feel alive.
Laughter, a great conversation, music, a beautiful sunset, an unexpected connection, or yes, stopping to smell the roses.
Maybe that’s part of what makes a life well lived. It isn’t about keeping the hard things out or trying to make every moment happy. It’s about experiencing this beautiful, messy life as it comes.
So today, notice what’s here. Let yourself feel the joy, the tenderness, the excitement, the sadness, the uncertainty, and everything else that makes you human. You don’t have to sort it all out. You can simply experience it.
And somewhere in the middle of all those big feelings, remember to stop and smell the roses, too. 
Affirmation
I honor my big feelings.
Sounds for Your Soul