Loving Kindness

[Guest guest]

Too all in the group

I haven't had the opportunity till tonight to connect with this group and catch

up on recent posts. So I was extremely surprised to read some very recent

posts. It left me with a lot of mixed emotions.

I had a lot of strong feelings and responses I wanted to post, but I chose to

sit with the feelings, emotions and thoughts that came from reading the posts.

I did some mindfulness, and defusion too. I chose not to be reactive, buy into

my minds thoughts and feelings about it all, and instead decided I would too

respond with as much loving kindness as I could.

I do not wish to get caught up in any particular thread or discussion but what I

do want to do is remind everyone not just those involved that we are all here to

support, help, encourage, share, advise, question and learn about living a life

with an ACT approach.

This requires us individually to be mindful and be conscious of, open to, and

curious about our here-and-now experience. To be accepting, open to and

accepting of ourself, others, life etc, and to let go of our struggle, pain, and

hurt. It is so very easy to forget this when we feel strongly about a

topic/subject, we get caught up in the words and language, or mind starts to

interpret and misinterpret and before we know it were buying into what the mind

is selling and it is no longer about the here and now. This inturn leads to

emotional pain making us feel we are being attacked, that we must defend ourself

and can result in feelings of anger, hurt, upset and a sense of aloneness and

isolation. All of this leads to poor communication and dis-connectedness.

This is what I have seen lately, and it is a shame, but in turn a lot can be

gained from this. Not just to those involved in the threads but to the group as

a whole. Here we have the opportunity to show how ACT trully works. I would

ask at this time group members review recent messages, there thoughts and

feelings about them. Do what I did and sit mindfully, observing your own

thoughts and feelings and then carry out some defusion and accept any

uncomfortableness within you and then let it go. I am asking you to spend some

time in Self-Awareness, to be aware of your own thoughts, feelings and most

importantly your actions.

A little bit of kindness is all I would ask for at this time. There is no pain

involved in being kind, compassionate, considerate, nurturing or caring towards

ourself or others. Only healing. I would asked both Helena and Terry to

consider the idea of a little compassion and gentle kindess towards themself and

to each other at this time as it is clear both are struggling with some painful

thoughts and feelings individually and together. I can only hope both of you can

take this as an opportunity to show the healing benefits of an ACT approach.

Just remember you are more than your thoughts feelings and these

threads...Thinking of the Chess metaphor, it would be nice if we can all be more

connected to being the chess board instead of being like chess pieces.

It is with a lot of loving kindness and compassion that I chose to write this

message. I can only hope it leads to some healing.

May you be well, May you be happy, may you be free from suffering

Jo x