Pic: Pexels
In Zazen, leave your front door and your back door open.
Let thoughts come and go.
Just don’t serve them tea. –
One of my favorite poems is ‘The Guest House’ by Rumi, which perfectly describes the many thoughts and feelings we can experience each day. However, during this busy time of year, when we attend many social events and family gatherings, some thoughts and feelings are very difficult to confront and process.
One thing I have learned over the years is that we don’t always have to answer the door to these thoughts or feelings when they arrive. Especially the ones that are strong in us and take our focus away from being present.
Meaning, that if someone triggers an old wound in us or pushes us off balance with a hurtful comment, we don’t always have to respond at the time, but instead, pause and ask, ‘Do I need to create room to feel and process these old wounds?’ or ‘Do I just need to let this go?’
During this time of year when we can be caught up in giving, serving, and feeling obligated, it can be easy to respond to and think about everything that arises, without taking time to consider if this needs our attention.
The more we practice being present during this Christmas period, the more opportunity we will have to discern what guests we open the door to and more importantly, what guests we invite in to stay for the holidays!
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
The love in your words are ever gratefully received and invited into my home anytime kind lady. May that gift be returned in kind 😀❤️🙏
Thank you Mark. What a beautiful WordPress community we have here! It’s a guest house I always love to visit. 🙏🏻💕😊
That it is Karen, and shared beautifully as you do 😀❤️🙏
I’ve always appreciated this Rumi poem … and you have brought something more to mind over the Holidays. Bringing discernment and mindfulness is key, rather than opening the door wide and welcoming whoever shows up.
Let us appreciate the love and connections and also be aware of what might not serve us personally at this time. Taking time outs and taking time for our own inner balance is key to bring balance … and perhaps even healing old wounds.
I agree Val, often we have been taught to welcome everything we see or feel, but with wisdom and patience we get to choose! Thank you for your wisdom too 🙏🏻🧡💕
Shunryu Suzuki and Rumi both supply metaphors for awareness that penetrate the veneer of thoughts and bring us into alignment with our spirit’s meaningful, shared dwelling. The passage of life! Thank you 🙏🏼 Karen for posting with this gift and offering. I share your appreciation. 💗🤗 hugs and love to you
Absolutely agree Ka! I appreciate you and your open beautiful heart 💕🥰
Thankyou karen for your loving wisdom in reminding us to pause and realise we can indeed choose who and what to let into our life! Here’s to us all having a beautiful peaceful holiday time❤️ much love x
Yes absolutely Barbara! Thank you and have a beautiful holiday time 💕🧡
Wise words, Karen. Thanks for the reminder about setting the stage for this coming month, stay present and centered! 🙏🏼💜
Thanks Eliza. I think we all understand how easy it is to get distracted during this 🤶 Christmas season 🌲💕🌲
Your post is perfect timing for the holidays. It can be a mix bag of people and feelings. I love the thought of pausing when we are triggered and asking if we need to create room to process or just let it go. Most of the time letting go is the best for all of us.
I agree Michele in fact, isn’t our whole life about letting go? ha 😏 Here’s to a peaceful holiday season for all of us 🌲🧡💕
As wonderful as the holiday season can be, with all the activities and social aspects, it becomes even more important to let issues go, seek peace, and not stress… Very timely reminder and post, Karen. Wishing you a wonderful start to the holiday season.
Thanks Randall! Giving room for our feelings creates more harmony in the long run. Happy Holidays to you as well 🌲💕
What a lovely reminder…thank you.
Thanks Jet 💕🧡
Amen, Karen! Makes sense to me.
-Alan
I’m glad! Thank you Alan 💕🧡