Isn’t it wonderful to be able to sit outside for a while on a mild winter’s day? Even when the air is crisp it feels warmer and brighter when the sky is clear and the sun is shining. Life seems somehow easier and the cares of everyday life seem a little lighter. I’m pretty sure I smile a lot more on a sunny day.
On days when it is overcast and cloudy we can end up feeling much the same – gloomy and downcast. It takes that much more energy to get going and everything feels like an effort. People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can feel quite depressed, sleep too much and crave sweets or other such comfort foods.
You know, we aren’t only affected by the warmth and light given by the sun: I think we are just as affected by the warmth of acceptance and approval from other people.
When we feel accepted and liked by others we are more at ease and more energetic and we behave in a more open and natural way. Our outlook seems brighter and our step is lighter. We feel at one with the world and comfortable with our place in it. I’m pretty sure I smile a lot more around people who show they accept and appreciate me.
On the other hand, a lack of acceptance, disapproval or harsh judgement from others can leave us feeling constrained, unable to express ourselves clearly or confidently and give us some of the same gluggy sensations as SAD.
Accepting others as they are is a wonderful gift we can give to others. Accepting ourselves as we truly are is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. Just like the sun, acceptance will help bring warmth and happiness to ourselves and others.
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