As I watch my home state taking away the organization and the budget responsible for arts funding throughout the state, I offer gratitude for all of the incredible arts opportunities I’ve gotten to be a part of, either as a participant or as an administrator or artist.
Photo of a person with outstretched hands in gratitude, surrounded by greens of nature on a cloudy day by Kourosh Qaffari
As I watch clinics and programs closing and states restricting abortion and gender-affirming care, I offer gratitude that for the medical professionals who’ve offered such support to those who have needed them in the past, even in the face of hostility or misunderstanding. I offer gratitude that some friends and family have gotten out of the United States or to friendlier states, hopefully to a better climate that will support who they are.
As I learn of ICE sweeping immigrants off the streets (so often the ones who are on legal paths to staying here and often pillars of their community), I offer gratitude for the citizens who have offered themselves as human shields and sounded the alarm that has sometimes been enough to keep their community members safe, even if for one more day.
As I watch democratic leaders being beaten, arrested or detained, in front of a silent, watching group of Republicans, I offer gratitude for these democrats willingness to lead and stand up for all of us, even in dark and dangerous times.
As I receive challenging news for people close to me, I offer gratitude for the blessings they got to experience related to these struggles (or prior to them).
I offer gratitude for the breeze on my face as I walk by the water, even as I process challenging thoughts.
I offer gratitude for work opportunities and for amazing friends, family, partner and chorus members, even as I look forward to leaving work on a slow day.
I offer gratitude for beautiful flowers, for another morning, another chance to connect, another chance to learn and grow.
I continue to strive to follow the often wise advice around accepting what I cannot change. I continue to prioritize what matters while striving to let the rest of it go in this moment. That may be a thought process once a day, or once every minute. But it’s wise advice that, when practiced alongside my other mental fitness work, I know will result in more peace of mind, more ease, and feeling more joy.
I don’t know what to do right now. But I know that doing nothing isn’t the answer. I know taking care of myself, resting, regulating myself, is key, so that I can then with a clearer head prioritize what is mine to do.
Feel overwhelmed? Stressed? Mad? Scared? Use your grounding tools, your mental fitness work. Then, and only then, can we shift into that wiser part of us that is so good at seeing the forest through the trees.
How are you handling your feelings right now? Your thoughts? Your emotions? It’s wise to do the work to get to that high-level, forest view. And it’s completely understandable if that isn’t feeling attainable right now.
So take a walk, if you’re able to. Take a shower. Get some sleep. And then, with a clearer head, let’s go stand up for human rights and fight fascism.
P.S. If you’d like to learn more about yourself in community with others, join my Enneagram program, or set up a time to learn more about mental fitness (which you can study in community or 1:1 in coaching with me).
Recent articles from me you might enjoy:
Anxious for the future? Quiet and control those hyper-vigilant thoughts
Crafting The Life You Want: A Practice in Living 