Last month, we kicked off a series in the "Wade a Minute" newsletter, where we will explore a different pillar of well-being each month. May was all about mental health. As we step into the summer fun energy of June, I invite us to tap into our emotional well-being.
Years ago, one of my best girlfriends started asking me on our coffee dates or catch-up calls, "How's your heart doing these days?"
This question was a beautiful invitation to drop into my heart and connect to what's present. It was so different from the conditioned superficial question-and-answer dance: "Hey, how are you?" "Great, thanks. How are you?"
I've started asking myself this question daily as a powerful emotional check-in process.
Learning to label our emotions is a skill. A skill most of us weren't taught.
Naming our emotions gives us insights into our needs, which is an important aspect of embodying our humanness, learning how to communicate and being in relationship with the world.
A huge piece of emotional well-being is learning how to identify our emotions without letting them control us. Pema Chodron, a writer and Buddhist Nun says, "We are the sky, and everything else is the weather." This is a beautiful reminder of how expansive we are and how temporary our emotions, thoughts and experiences are.
Over the years, I've realized how vital honesty is to noticing and labeling emotions. It is vulnerable to meet ourselves where we are. It takes a lot of courage to feel what's present and shine a light on it.
So this month, I welcome you to be courageous and ask yourself and your loved ones, "How's your heart these days?" Listen with presence and share with honesty.
If you want more support tuning in, try this Daily Check-in Meditation. (The Centered in the City platform is being offered freely for the next few months.)
If you feel open, I'd love to hear from you! How's your heart doing today? Share with me in the comments below.