In a world and time where so much is going on, it’s hard to just be ok sometimes.
People are fucking nuts! Cops are doing shit that pisses people off, and people are pissed off at those people. Riots are worldwide that are full of anger and greed.
Political parties and other organizations are causing massive divides among each other. Frustration and hopelessness is more apparent than ever.
Here we are in a really weird space and time that has us in environments outside the norm.
This is an image of Oakland in the middle of the day on 9/9/2020
This is an image of San Francisco at 10am on 9/9/2020
These are the results of fires in Northern CA, and some southern parts or OR.
We are in a worldwide pandemic that is affecting everyone’s health. this pandemic is causing people to be ‘Shelter In Place’ for 7 months. 7 fucking months bars are closed. Restaurants are outdoor seating only. Theatres are closed. Movies are not in production. Amusement parks and zoos have very limited capacities. Travelling out of the country is not allowed. Many tech-related businesses have employees working at home.
In UT, where the temperatures have been 100+ degrees for a few days-the next day it is 46 degrees! Winds at up to 100+ mph have thrown great pines and other large trees across yards. Semi’s are tipped over on the highways. Peoples cars are smashed by downed trees.
Oh, and the kids-they’re not at school. They are at home with distance learning with no daily interactions with friends.
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
So. What does one do with all this? How do we keep positive energy alive?
Let’s start with taking care of ourselves.
Close your eyes, relax and take a deep breath. Relax even further. Unclench your jaw and relax your eyes. Go inside to find the peace and stillness that quietly resides in your heart.
From Eckhart Tolle’s book “Power of Now”:
“Focus attention on the feeling inside you. Know that it is the pain-body. Accept that it is there. Don’t think about it – don’t let the feeling turn into thinking. Don’t judge or analyze. Don’t make an identity for yourself out of it. Stay present, and continue to be the observer of what is happening inside you.
Become aware not only of the emotional pain but also of “the one who observes,” the silent watcher. This is the power of the Now, the power of your own conscious presence. Then see what happens.”
Do you feel any better? Even just a little? It’s ok if you don’t. Know that not everything needs to be fixed or improved right now.
What is good to do right now, is to be aware of what is controlling you. It’s ok to not be OK, however, don’t let the pain, desolation, or struggle overpower you.
See it for what it is right now, and let it go. Give it a send off, perhaps, by writing out all your emotion on paper and burn it. Let it dissolve into flame and disintegrate into ash.
Or creatively visualize burning the emotion. However it’s done – let it leave your body. It’s ok to not be OK – but it’s not ok to allow yourself to suffer.
Eventually come back to love. Self-love.
Peace.