I’ve often wondered what it would be like to live during times of intense planetary shifts. How did people manage? What did their day-to-day lives look like when things around them were falling apart? How did they handle living through an extended period of chaos? What did it do to their human psyche?
As we find ourselves living in the midst of a challenging time in human history, we’re getting firsthand experience.
Here’s what I’ve arrived at…
I truly believe that we’re all doing our best right now.
And of course, what could be considered “our best” isn’t always the same. It varies from day to day – and sometimes even from moment to moment.
It’s much easier to be kind, compassionate and centered when we’re well-rested and home in our comfortable space. It’s much more difficult when we haven’t slept well in days and find ourselves in uncomfortable situations. If we happen to get triggered, we might lose our center and lash out in an unkind manner.
Because we’ve already been experiencing chaotic energy for several years, our defensive responses are never too far away. We can feel threatened and get triggered in an instant and then instinctively react by fighting, running away, or shutting down. We don’t think about it – it just happens.
When we’re actively triggered, it’s hard to be kind and compassionate to others and to ourselves. And even in those moments we are doing our best.
Yes, I believe that even then we are doing our best.
Everyone is struggling right now, so you are not alone. There is nothing inherently wrong with you. You are not a bad person. Your system is working the way it was designed to ensure survival of the species.
Please be kind and gentle with yourself. You are doing the best you can. Love yourself anyway.
When we’re in a space where we can breathe again, we eventually notice that we’re feeling a bit better. Once we’re able, and as we have the bandwidth, we can turn to the tools that have helped us recover our center in the past. Here are some suggestions:
* Look around your environment and orient yourself to the present moment. Notice where you are. Observe colors, shapes and textures that capture your attention. Notice the sounds inside the room and outside the room. Remind yourself of the time of day and the day of the week. This helps us to feel safe.
* Call on the assistance of the divine compassionate spirit helpers, including your angels and power animals, to come and hold you. They eagerly offer their energetic support and love in times of need. Then be open to receiving.
* Enjoy time in nature soaking up the nurturing energy of Mother Earth. Imagine a grounding cord from the base of your spine extending down to the center of the earth. Once it’s connected, begin gently drawing the solid, stable, safe energy of Mother Earth up through the cord into your body with the breath. Even going outside in your backyard helps. We can hear the bird sounds, sit with our back against a tree, and feel the sun on our cheek even if we live in town.
* Be aware of your breath. Breathe slowly, deeply, and methodically. Imagine breathing in peace and love and exhaling stress and fear. Breathing helps to engage the “rest and digest” system (the opposite of “fight or flight”).
* Meditate if you are calm enough to do so. Lovingkindness meditation is especially helpful when we are still a bit triggered. As you breathe into your heart, silently repeat the phrase, “May my fear be released.” With each exhale, silently repeat, “May my heart remain open.”
* Get a good night’s sleep if you are able. Sleep is like hitting the reset button – we often feel better in the morning. A friend calls this “bringing the day in for a landing.”
* Reach out for help if it’s too much to carry alone. Ask a trusted friend or family member to sit with you, or schedule an appointment with a therapist or alternative healing practitioner. You don’t have to do this alone. Being around others who are grounded and in a solid, steady space themselves can help our nervous system come back into regulation.
In all things, please be kind and gentle with yourself. Remember that you are loved and held even during the darkest times. You will make it through this.
This work is real, and it matters.
October 22, 2021