Under the Trigger

Have you ever felt overwhelmed like your senses are being assaulted by too much input? Sometimes it’s a feeling or emotion that comes in suddenly like a summer storm, out of nowhere it’s just there and it’s everywhere and you can’t seem to find shelter. Other times it’s sounds or sights or just that one more thing after a bunch of stuff and wham. You’re in the storm.

It feels like it’s everywhere but sometimes it’s more like a cloud surrounding your head and shoulders. A little dark storm cloud that you wear like an oversized overcoat. The secret is that it only comes to your knees.

Sometimes you can lay down on the floor and look up at the cloud. It’s still there. But you can seem to get underneath it. Watch its belly as it drifts away. Sometimes if you trick the cloud you can shake it, loosen its grip, avoid being consumed by that invitation.

Try it next time if you can remember. Just lay down flat wherever you are if it’s safe and see. See if you can get underneath it. Let it fly away.

Wave to it as it leaves and say thank you. I appreciate your gift. You are trying to keep me safe. But I am ok here. Look I will lay down to show you. I will be flat and watch the sky and see the cloud drifting overhead and the light and the dark and I will wait. Wait for this moment to pass. Breathe with the wind.

This works really well with little kids. It’s a distraction technique and we are all toddlers on the inside. We need a snack and a hug and a break. We need to put our heads down on the desk of our lives and wait. Let it pass. Be the ground, be the floor, be the grass, be the dirt. The storm shall pass. It is we who abide.