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Sadness helps us grieve and let go. If we repress and deny sadness, we will inevitably become depressed. Psalm 30:5 says, “weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Sadness is always the path to joy, because sadness signals a hurt that needs to be processed.

- Changes That Heal by Henry Cloud

Sadness is not depression. In fact, suppressing sadness can lead to depression.

“What? You’re full of it, Col!”

Oh if you only knew how not full if it I am, you’d be amazed!

Lately I’ve been allowing sadness to coexist and I have to tell you … I’ve never been happier!

Yes, it’s true.

Interesting thing about that. I used to wish it didn’t exist. And that only made me feel worse when it came. I’d feel sad and then on top of that, I’d feel upset about the sadness being there.

Not a good situation. Kind of a double-whammy.

Now that I allow it, it moves through me pretty quickly and it is not nearly as intense or scary. This is what works for me. It may work for you.

Express not repress.

• If I feel sadness, I may cry.

• I may lie down with a soft fluffy blanket for a few minutes (who are we kidding, maybe an hour even).

• I might talk to a friend (a really good one who knows I’m doing it to move through it not to wallow in it … big diff.)

• I accept it and respect it.

• I may ask, “What are you here to tell me?” (Sadness always answers, if you’re a really good listener.) And “tell” often means “teach.”

• I might write a little story in my journal.

• I may paint a picture.

But the important thing is the allowing. Because in that lies great power. It’s freeing. And that is what I wish for you, my friend! Freedom, freedom and more freedom. You deserve all the freedom your heart can hold!

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