It's been an emotionally charged week, emotions have run high, and I've found myself unexpectedly in tears. Sending love and peace to the people of Israel, Palestine, and everyone around the world.
A message from one of my favorite mentors shook me yesterday. A small excerpt from her newsletter caught my attention:
"If we cannot recognize the ways we dehumanize each other or see the connection between what's happening there and here - we're lost. We're finished. We're done."
Like many she’s scared, suffering, and feeling the weight of a heavy heart.
It seems as if despair lingers in the air.
Many folks cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Our natural desire for safety and solutions drives us to seek comfort and connection with others in any way we can.
For most of us, staying in touch through social media and the news is just what we do. But too much news can overwhelm our nervous system, doing more harm than good.
News today often focuses on capturing our attention for ad dollars rather than providing fair and ethical information. They often keep repeating breaking news, especially the alarming parts, which can make us feel more anxious and unsure.
A
study from 2013 by researchers at UC Irvine showed that media coverage could potentially spread PTSD. Those who watched 6 hours of news about the Boston Marathon bombing had more stress symptoms compared to those directly affected by the tragedy.
Each person has their own threshold for stress. An emergency room doctor is probably more accustomed to handling crises than the average person. But for most people, exposing themselves to constant stress can result in anxiety beyond what they can manage.
Our thoughts and emotions greatly affect the way we perceive the world.
We hold the reins to control our minds and choose between calm or chaos in our lives.
We aren't powerless over our feelings - it's a choice. As Louise Hay states, “No person, place or thing has any power over us. Each one of us creates our own experiences by our thoughts and our feelings. We create situations and then we give our power away by blaming the other person for our frustrations. We are the thinkers in our mind. When we create peace and balance in our minds, we will find it in our lives.”
By cultivating inner peace, we can feel more composed and resilient even in turbulent times.
But how do we achieve this calm mindset?
Beyond our five senses lies a potent sixth sense - intuition, which grows stronger when we silence the external noise.
A sacred space can be created within our own minds by merely observing our breath and focusing on our hearts. This space, perceived as God, spirit, or a universal life force, offers a higher energy connection that grounds us.
Connecting with our internal guidance system creates a peaceful haven of security.
It’s like plugging into a personalized power grid that instantly anchors us to our foundation. With practice, this sanctuary will feel like home—a comforting space to rest and create while connecting with parts of ourselves no one can take away.
By nurturing this feeling of stability, there’s no need for control. It’s something you nurture within yourself for your own security.
Here’s a few ways to cultivate a calm inner space:-
- Practice breathing every morning for just five minutes.
- Spend time in nature daily even if you can only spare 10 minutes.
- Practice mindfulness every day by immersing yourself in a task that you love.
- Physical activities like walking and yoga can help you boost your focus on the present moment.
