Things that happened in the past are impermanent. But we often suffer in the present, captivated by nightmares. Fortunately, I was able to observe and experience some distressing events myself, adding colors to my book of life. I used avoidance as my coping tactic and strategy. From observing sorrows, I admired the strength of creatures and connected contexts and inner pains. From experiencing them, I could admit my utter helplessness in front of nature.

Recently, I had the privilege of taking a hiatus from life's tumult and delving into the world of natural science books, such as The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins and Cosmos by Carl Sagan. These literary treasures provided a welcome respite and enriched my understanding, offering a counterbalance to my liberal arts-trained belief system.

I have always been interested in materialist perspectives, which means that I believe our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings are, to an extent, affected by the material conditions in which they are embedded – even more so than the historical and pedagogical conditions. Reading natural science books deepened my understanding of how the world materially operates and is structured at the atomic level.

This materialist confession allowed me to understand my thoughts and feelings as byproducts of material organs, my brain to the vagus nerve, digestive systems, etc. This comes down to acknowledging that we are not our emotions. Emotions do not last forever; they are a rainbow of emotions that come and go as we live through the day.

By accepting and allowing my emotions, they can more easily pass through me. This means it's okay to feel that way rather than resisting or reacting to it immediately. We don't need to eliminate them; we need to acknowledge them and understand that they are a natural part of our human experience.

I am continually practicing this and training my brain and other body parts. It's a journey, not a destination.

Notice negative emotions.
Take a breath.
Find a safe space.
Connect with my surroundings (touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste).
Assess using logic and consult with trusted friends.
Make a plan to response.