I sometimes have an opposite response when there is a lot of sadness and that is to go numb and/or start glossing over everything. Doesn’t happen that often, but it is one of my responses. And sometimes I’ll get agitated but not know why. One of the things I picked up a long time back is to ask God (using my church language) if there is anything specific I could be praying for, then pray for who/what comes to mind. Strangely, this most often happens if I can’t fall asleep at night. These are really short prayers and then I often conk out asleep.

I’ve recently learned how to hold space for the agitation (daytime agitation – yes, I’ve got different sorts in my life!) and not try to solve it. Sometimes I have to pretend that I’m outside, looking in as an observer. A quaker friend of mine has been very influential in my life teaching me how to ask holy questions in these sorts of situation. I try to hold it (whatever it is, some times it’s a lot of its) in the Light. As I do that, I try to be open to questions that come. What am I reacting to? Is this my reaction or is there something bigger going on here? Am I being asked to participate in some way or just feel? Is this mine or something bigger?

And in all this, it’s absolutely essential to have a trusted friend. I’d go crazy if I had to do this on my own.