Wallowing

I discovered a new lesson this year - the importance of wallowing.  I’ve shared it with a couple of people because it makes sense to me.  Maybe it will for you.  

Generally, we are people who don’t like to feel sad.  We are too busy, too stoic, too controlled, too Iowan to spend a lot of time sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves. It gives us a reason to be proud that we are strong Midwesterners.  In Scripture we read about the “joy of the Lord.”  “Rejoice, and again I say rejoice.”  How can we be sad when we consider all God has done for us?  Writers of psycho-spirituality talk about living in a world of “negative toxins.”  To be happy we need to keep ourselves surrounded by positive people with positive energy and thoughts.  

Well, that is great.  But there are times in life when we experience loss, injustice, disappointment, and grief.  To name and claim them as a part of our lives is important but then there are all the feelings that go along with it.  Sometimes, we try to skip over them or rush them along.  Instead, we need to grab hold of our Midwest Iowa fortitude and follow the example of the pigs. 

Pigs, in their natural habitat, are basically clean animals and are considered to have a higher I.Q. than dogs.  They are problem solvers that seem to instinctively know what is good for their health.  And when the heat is on, they wallow - yes, roll around in the mud for awhile and then up and off they go again.  Why?  Because it serves a purpose.  Pigs don’t sweat and so the mud cools and protects them from the harmful forces of sun and pesky insects. 

Every once in a while, when we feel the heat bearing down on us, it may be time to give ourselves permission to wallow - to feel sad, disappointed, sorry for ourselves, hurt - roll around in the mud of our lives.  We don’t want to get stuck there but a time of “wallowing” in the emotions may serve a purpose. Then, we can get up and go on our way with greater aptitude and health to deal with the forces around us.