Thriving during Chaotic times

As all of us are aware, we are amid political turmoil, increasing divisiveness, and high levels of anger, incivility and chaos on a daily basis.  Families, friendships, and other relationships may have eroded, fractured or ended, leading to grief and loss issues.  We see traumatic events happening to ordinary citizens and communities.   We can get absorbed in all of this quite easily as a result of the internet, 24-hour news channels, and social media.  When we allow all these sources to invade our work and personal lives on a frequent basis, we see the erosion and decline of the human spirit, the belief that we cannot make positive changes, and higher rates of depression, anxiety and social disconnectedness and despair.  How do we prevent this soul erosion, while doing our work and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships and friendships?

The answer is quite simple but quite challenging to implement.  We must limit the time and space we allow ourselves to engage in behaviors that diminish us and rob us of energy sources and leave us frequently angry and in despair.  We must hold ourselves accountable that we still remain in control of our lives and we can make positive change in ourselves and others, by cultivating activities that allow us to thrive and nurture ourselves, rather than deplete us.

The way to think of ourselves is metaphorically like a living being separate and apart from us.   What does this living object need to thrive and prosper?  We look at what areas need cultivating, that are currently lacking.  Have the seeds been planted in the right soil to try to start new behaviors and activities that sow positive change and growth? Do we need to do more of one thing, and less of another to give this seedling the best promise of a successful future?  Do we believe in the ability of the living entity to begin to form new seedlings  that provide our souls with potential and promise?  What do we need to do to change to have the best outcomes?

Change is an internal process that must be navigated with thought and purpose.  We often confuse recognizing that we have a problem as the beginning of change, but we often get stuck in precontemplation and contemplation, without ever moving to the action phase of change.  To know you are really making positive change, feeling uncomfortable is part of the process.  Getting stuck in routines and behaviors that do not suit us, is quite normal, because change involves more energy and internal resources and strategies to try new things that serve us better.

Like the lotus flower, we can rise from the mud and radiate into the world.  We must trust in the light, grow through the dirt, and believe that new beginnings are always possible.  We must create rituals for self-growth that sustain us, despite our fears, doubts, shame and guilt.  Today is here, we are here, and change is possible.  The goal is to shine, grow and thrive despite chaotic times that are separate and apart from us.  Get outside, absorb the sunshine, engage in physical activities that make you happy, no matter what your physical capabilities are.  Eat well and nourish your body, instead of using food as a numbing behavior due to an internal hunger you cannot satiate.  Find joy and passion in a new hobby, and disconnect more often from social media, news and things that regularly deplete you.  Take inventory of your life, reevaluate interpersonal relationships, say no more often, and create a personal template that sustains you during the worst of times.  Remember, that if a plant is not thriving, we often need to look at the basic conditions for growth such as water, sunlight, temperature, soil conditions, and nutrition.  If you are not thriving, ask yourself why, and change some of the conditions, so that you blossom and grow.  Today can be the day, that optimal conditions begin, so you are the best version of yourself now and into the future.