[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ever since Sunday’s service, where Rev. Sean described how emotions are just feelings with a story attached, I’ve been trying to pay attention to the stories I’m caught in.
What I’ve realized is – there are so many! And trying to parse them out, let alone, unravel them – it feels like swimming through syrup.
It’s the risk of the theories Sean was describing. That it will seem like we can/should be able to just “let go” of the stories – like we have some sort of ultimate control. Or worse, the theories might lead us to dismiss or demean our emotional experiences as fictional/constructed.
In reality, the stories that our sensations attach themselves to are so powerful, they often take years – and collective engagement – to truly shift and release. And the stories are real, with real impact.
Shifting and shaking loose and swimming through syrup….all of these are good reminders of the ways that releasing our stories happens not just by naming, and claiming our feelings in words, but also, with what happens in our bodies. In time. Through movement, and grace. This is what we’ll be exploring this Sunday at 8:30, 10 & 11:30.
One more really important thing:
This Sunday at 1:00, our Board of Trustees will be presenting the costs for a first phase of construction, and what our options are for bridging the gap between what we’ve raised in our capital campaign so far, and what we’ll need to proceed. It will be live streamed, and we’ll send out a summary early next week, but if you can be there, your presence would be so appreciated. It will help ensure we can all be fully ready to vote on March 1st at the congregational meeting.
I so look forward to seeing you Sunday – and until then…blessings on all the feelings, and all the stories!
Rev. Gretchen[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Notes from The Feels: Week 2 – Name It, Claim it.
Referenced in the Service
How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett
Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Music
We sang our series theme song, Break the Shell
We sang Peter Mayer’s Blue Boat Home
The medley of songs from our members included: Here Comes the Sun, When She Loved Me, Masters of War, Mad World, and Christopher sang You’re So Vain
At 11:30 we sang MaMuse’s Oh River
Further Resources
You Aren’t At The Mercy of Your Emotions, Ted Talk by Lisa Feldman Barrett
What’s Wrong With Emotional Intelligence
Remember
Emotions are feelings with a story attached.
We can actively intervene in the stories we’ve attached to our feelings
and produce a different outcome in our lives, and in our world.
What story are you working with in your life today?
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Katie believes the best things in life are the result of collaboration and diverse perspectives coming together to produce something greater than any individual could. She is passionate about systems, efficiency and collaboration for better community outcomes. She loves dreaming up the big picture and drafting the roadmap to make it happen. She has a background in operations, fundraising, communications and program development, as well as over a decade of nonprofit management experience in Northern Colorado.
Her greatest joy in life comes from her family. Her husband, Steven, a principal at Wellington Middle School, and daughters Emmaline and Esmae are the lights of her life. Together they love mountains, music and all kinds of food. She is passionate about women supporting other women in all stages of life and especially through the critical moments that make or break us. She believes that one of the most important things in life is to be kind.
Being outdoors makes her soul come alive. It always roots her in gratitude and is one of the reasons she loves living in Fort Collins.