Hello from New York City. Yes, you heard that right I am back home. You know, coming home was a funny thing because I was away for five weeks. So for the last few days, as we’re packing, as we stopped buying groceries and we started eating out more and our time was winding down, I felt really ready to leave. Then, as the departure time neared, I became super emotional. I had only positive and poetic thoughts going through my mind about the island and the whole experience. It’s all true  it is a very magical place, as I’ve said many times – and then here’s what happens. I get home, and I don’t know what to do with myself. I have literally been walking in circles for the past 24 hours feeling badly that I’m not doing as much as I thought I’d do. It’s funny because I know that about myself. I know that when I’m away even for a much shorter stint – even for a weekend – the day after I get back, I’m always slightly off And even though I’m aware of it, I still find myself so judgmental and guilty that I’m not feeling better.

If you know anything about me at all, you know that I’m a pretty positive and upbeat person. a lot of the time.  I consciously cultivate positivity in my life and I’m mostly able to turn my slumps around. Part of it is because that’s how I was raised. Part of it is because it’s something that I value, and the truth of the matter is that nobody is in a good mood all the time.

Anyway, two things happened today. First, I got an incredible heartfelt message about Dear Constance from one of my friends, a listener in Mexico. It was super touching, and it was exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right time. It got me thinking that the reason I like podcasts and the reason I listen – besides for news purposes and entertainment-  is because I like to be inspired and many of the things I listen to remind me of the kind of person I want to be and the kind of things that I strive for.

So, I shook myself out of my lethargy and put my headphones on as I walked to the grocery store. I decided to listen to one of my friends, Susie Moore. She comes out with a podcast which, like mine, is five minutes seven days a week. I love her work. I hadn’t listened in a long time and I said, well, let me just start with the most recent. I looked down and the title of today’s episode is When You Feel Low. I didn’t connect the dots right away, but as soon as I started listening I realized it was exactly what I need to hear right this second.

She said two things. One is that when you are feeling off, whether you’re feeling anxious or lethargic or tired and heavy for no apparent reason, one of the best things you can do is practice non-resistance, and just make peace with the way you’re feeling. The other thing she talked about is feeling judgmental. Stacking that judgment on top of your already sort of whatever it is you’re feeling off about.

Both of those little things were really helpful to me today – getting the heartfelt love note from my friend and listener, Pia, and also the timely reminder to simply accept the way I’m feeling. Allowing myself to just be – and to drop the judgment – to stop resisting and labeling how I’m feeling. I’m off today. I’m out of sorts, and that’s okay. It was also a great reminder that as I seek to consciously cultivate feeling good and feeling positive. I can also consciously cultivate acceptance and going with the flow.

I’ll leave you with that today. That’s where I am until next time from my heart to yours.