To be whole, nonfragmented in action, in life, in every kind of relationship, that is the very essence of sanity. Sanity means to be whole, healthy and holy.

~J.Krishnamurti

This world can feel brutal for big hearted, sensitive souls.

For those of us with practices of awakening consciousness, it’s one that’s especially important to answer.

More than ever before, the world needs us right now. It needs our love, it needs our light.

But how can we bring this when constantly confronted with the seeming insanity of life on the planet?

Here are a few things that come to mind and please feel free to leave your own in the comments here. We’d all be grateful for any suggestions.

Try not to take anything too personally or seriously.  

Of course this is easier said than done (pretty much everything on this list is), but saying it and hearing it can be welcome reminders. A few things that can assist this process are to watch a comedy or do a quick mindfulness meditation.

Immerse in the things that bring you joy.

This is one of the most important things we can do. Joy is a powerful emotion, it is the experience of being touched by the beauty of life. It is nourishing and meaningful, and it emanates from the center of our hearts. Taking time to appreciate the joys of life is a fulfilling practice, and what we focus on, expands. Anything enjoyable, even the smallest things can shift a moment. While it’s unique to everybody, I find little moments of joy in things like a sprinkle of cinnamon in my coffee, the smell of jasmine walking down the street and the first deep breath of my yoga practice.

Consider the bigger picture.

Sometimes I’ll put my mind into outer space and look down through the cosmos at everything happening on this little planet, and suddenly things don’t seems so big and important anymore.

Avoid the news.

This may be controversial for some. At the very least, consider if checking the news helps you. Or maybe at least the frequency that you watch. Years ago I told my dad that the news was stressing me out. He suggested I stop watching it, the thought of which made me feel irresponsible. He assured me that if something really important was happening, I’d hear about it. This resonated with me so I tried it. The news media is fear driven propaganda. They want us to be afraid, because we’re more easily manipulated when we are feeling hopeless and scared. All I can say is, the less I see of it the more sane I feel.

Take time in nature.

Being in the great outdoors, sinking our feet into the earth, and taking in the vastness of the sky is therapeutic and almost always offers brilliant perspective. Ecopsychology is a highly effective modality of healing! Honoring and exploring the intricate connection between us humans and the natural world is a soul soothing reminder of what’s truly most important.

Work it out.

Physical movement releases endorphins in the brain and nervous system. Moving our bodies works wonders for mood shifting, mental clarity and feeling good all around. When the world feels too heavy, shake it off with some movement!

Community.

We need each other. We are interdependent creatures who thrive on heart to heart connection. I’m often amazed at the power of reflecting with my dear ones when feeling helpless or dismayed. Because other people have different ways of looking at things, they can offer fresh light and morsels of wisdom that transform our understanding.

Focus on solutions.

It’s easy to get caught in the trap of ranting and complaining about the state of the world, but doing so doesn’t do much beyond a few moments of catharsis. My frustrations with current events have fueled many changes in the way that I’m living day to day. For example I’ve made great strides to eliminate single use plastics, buy second hand whenever possible, and go out of my way to avoid purchasing goods from corrupt multinationals like Nestle, GM and Proctor & Gamble.

Practicing random acts of kindness, including simple things like paying compliments, smiling at others or sharing feelings of gratitude feels good from the inside out and makes powerful waves that uplift and inspire the collective.

Tools like these help us stay afloat in challenging times. Often all that needed is a shift in perspective. In the words of Dr. Wayne Dyer, “When we change the way we look at things the things we look at change.”

Wishing you all well on your journey, May the road rise with you!

Peace & Love,

Michelle