Good morning, Friend.
To say the state of our world is a little “unstable” right now would be the understatement of the year.
Just when we think things can’t get worse, they do.
In such uncertain times, I believe we have an acute need for energetic stability.
It can be enormously tempting to start the day by scanning the news. However we consume it, many of us are tuning in to the devastation almost by reflex.
Let’s take a moment to imagine a few billion humans—all of us starting our day with the images and details of trauma, of terror and fear, anger and grief.
Imagine how that might affect the way we speak and interact with other humans. Imagine how it might affect the way they problem-solve, listen, or learn.
What we are imagining is a global community of human beings feeling: fragile, reactive, and unstable.
Now I want you to imagine a different reality— A reality where a few billion humans are waking-up, stretching their bodies after a night’s sleep.
Imagine us offering a prayer or sending positive energy out to all those who are suffering. Imagine if we set aside time to mindfully consume the news only when we know we have the space to simply process (and perhaps take action on) what we’ve read.
I’m not suggesting that we bury our heads in the sand. But I am saying that starting our days with terror and trauma isn’t good for any of us.**
Your experiment this week is to stop scaring yourself upon waking.
Instead of starting the day consuming the news, try scheduling a set time each week or day to check in on the world. Look for the more thoughtful pieces of reporting—breaking news rarely offers the full picture. Even the NYT botched a headline recently.
Replace your doom scrolling with something that allows you to feel gratitude. Love. Generosity.
Let’s be the change we want to see in the world.
Shine on,
B
**Of course, for those of us who have loved ones in Israel and/or Gaza, in Afghanistan, in Ukraine or Haiti, or in the other places being devastated by war and natural disasters, we may need to remain glued to the news around the clock. But for those of us who don’t, let’s see how we might better hold each other up.
