Why Being Uncomfortable Can Be a Gift

I was thrilled to take this 3 week venture to Austria, but when I arrived to my destination, I felt out of place and disconnected to the culture. So here is a little glimpse at my journey on how using these 4 tools helped flip the story...

Even though I was excited to return to Austria to visit Michael's family for Christmas, being in the 30 degree Fahrenheit weather, arriving with food poisoning from the airplane food, and immersed in a language I barely speak, all began to really get under my skin. Even though I have married into the most loving and beautiful family, I felt like an outsider and very quickly began to miss the comfort of home, my family and friends, and the familiarity of life in L.A. 

Meditation as Medication

​I made sure to stay consistent with my meditation to keep in my center and be accepting of this feeling of disconnect and discomfort, while reminding myself that it's okay to feel into the darkness that comes with the winter cycle. Not just in the morning and before bed, but while walking, while eating, while listening to music, while breathing, while just being, meditation has been a reminder that being present is the act of accepting the feelings that arise.

Ceremony

After a week of being in Austria, Michael and I gathered his family for a night of ceremony, where we invited everyone to explore their inner landscape with cacao, music, and expressing whatever truth anyone felt called to share. Of course I was nervous that the language barrier would be inhibiting, but it was an evening of deep connection with each person, and mostly importantly myself. My big "aha" moment was the realization of how important the act of receiving is, and how I don't allow myself to receive when the voice of judgement takes over my thoughts. I realized I was unable to connect because I was not receiving the experiences with gratitude and curiosity. Gathering together in ceremony, whether it's by yourself or with others, is an opportunity to connect to ourselves and explore the dance of the heart and mind.

Create a New Story

The old story was: I am finding it difficult to connect with my partner's family because I don't speak their language.

The new story is: how awesome is it that I have an opportunity to rewire my brain and learn a new language. Sure, I may only know phrases like "I am a woman", "I love food", "me too", "I read a book", "I have a man with strong arms", with the combination of my limited vocabulary, I am able to make people laugh and they appreciate I make an effort with my measly little Duolingo app and semester of German study at community college. The new story is, I have "abentuererlust", a spirit for adventure which has brought me to where I am at now, and I appreciate how my feelings of discomfort has been my biggest teacher. I now can see that when I step outside my comfort zone, I am allowing myself to stretch and open into new unknown territories which is where the magic happens. 

Gratitude

I am so grateful for new experiences; grateful for all of the teachers, especially my parents for being my number 1 teachers; my partner for challenging me, encouraging me, and loving me unconditionally; my health which I remember to appreciate especially after being sick; so grateful for music that moves my soul; grateful for the sun and the snow which reminds me of the importance of the contrast of warmth and cold; grateful for all of the animals that bring softness to my heart; and most importantly for this life I have been gifted that is filled with such richness; and lastly, so grateful for this amazing family I have been born into and married into, the smiles they bring and the laughter they share.

​Thank you so much for reading and let's stay connected!

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