The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Life threw me a curve ball recently and I reacted badly. It was swiftly followed by my feelings racing uncontrollably down my emotional highway.
I was in free fall.
My immediate instinct was to go for a quick fix. I wanted to swoop down, carry away the ugly, gather all the wrong and bury it away like it never happened.
All this, while pumped full of emotional craziness and adrenaline.
The fact is, in this state I am more likely to create more chaos.
Luckily my instinct has a friend, my gorgeous voice of reasoning.
She whispered firmly to me. “You need to give it some time”.
What did she mean? Time?
We have all heard this said many times.
You may find yourself uttering these simple and yet delicate words to others.
You need to give it some time.
After a tragedy, a death, an injury a difficult diagnosis.
You need to give it some time.
After a difficult decision, a breakup, an argument.
You need to give it some time.
Time for what? What sort of time? How much time?
Time becomes the space between the leap and the landing.
The event and the outcome.
The action and the reaction.
Time gives us the space to absorb our emotions.
To establish clarity
To widen out perspective
To breathe
To listen
To mourn
To process
To prepare
Time becomes a big cushion dragged into place while we free fall. Softening our landing as we crash into reality.
In that moment my emotions were blazing, blinding my wisdom, denying me the ability to act gracefully.
I listened to Miss Reason and yes I have given it some time.
I have positioned my cushion, and in turn I have gained clarity, understanding and levelheadedness.
Time itself cannot fix, it cannot correct, it cannot heal. That work will be done when I land, when I am ready to engage.
Time has given me the opportunity to approach my situation with renewed clarity, maturity and to identify its cause.
I am ready to land now, it will still hurt just not as much.
Time has reduced the severity of my impact.
Have you every benefited from giving it some time?
Have you said this to someone knowing time would help?
Karen xx

So very often I see things more clearly if I step back and wait, even though my first instinct is to step in and DO.
Tressie, I am always amazed at the change in my thinking when i give things some time.