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Hi Lynn!👋
The energy in the collective is heavy—anger, frustration, grief, righteousness, destruction. And it doesn’t just show up in “others” or the “other side.” It’s everywhere, within our own circles, and if we’re honest, within ourselves.
Last week, I found myself contributing to and being affected by the global inflammation.
I caught myself swearing at another driver, judging a stranger, unfriending someone, laughing at a mean meme, even as I bristled when others did the same.
And while a part of me can justify all of it, the bottom line is I am left feeling unsettled, fearful, untrusting, and just… awful.
If I really believe we are all connected, then I can’t pretend it’s “them” and not me. Wanting unity while clinging to labels or sides is a contradiction. What is triggering me also lives within me. I can’t escape my own shadow. I'm trying to notice where I contribute to the fracture and soften there.
For me, the practice is returning to what I value. Choosing—again and again—to tend to my own emotions, triggers, and reactions through reflection and awareness. To work with my own anger, unwanted parts of myself, bias, and hypocrisy. I'm trying to remember not to get siloed into a side that labels and dehumanizes the other.
What makes me feel better?
- Looking for ways to “hold the tension of the opposites,” one of Carl Jung’s foundational concepts.
- To extend kindness to people
- To look for the stories that remind me of the best of humanity.
- To bring some brightness and lightness to others.
- To share the good stuff.
So here are two:
1. Matt and I are befriending a young couple who have a 5-month-old baby and no family around, and offering to watch their baby periodically and bring them some leftover home-cooked meals.
2. We are also hosting the University of Florida’s musical theater program for dinner at our house during their annual “field trip” to Orlando to go to Universal’s Halloween event. It's a great time for them to bond as a group and get to know the new first-year students. We also quietly got a ticket for a student who didn’t have the funds, so he wouldn’t miss out. Then a group of them will sleep over. And that’s why I’m making homemade pumpkin pancakes- because it's an act of love that fills my mama heart.
There are so many simple ways to love on others, to help out a neighbor, to show up as a reminder of our shared humanity.
None of us can fix the world right now or make everyone see what we do. But each of us can soften the sharp edges in our own little corner of it.
Maybe the question to carry this week is:
Where can I bring some light, some kindness, some small act of humanity—right where I am?
I’d love to hear what comes up for you. Hit reply and share. |
