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Flourishing in an insane time

The whole planet is reeling at this time: Feels like huge storms are buffeting us relentlessly as we hunker down inside our homes, trying to stay safe and sane, trying to hold ourselves and our lives together. A hugely challenging time for us all.

Weathering storms caused by the pandemic, racial injustice, climate warming and economic collapse require tremendous mental resilience, endurance and love in order not to become emotionally flattened, numb, or so traumatized that one lives in a haze of chronic anxiety, anger, grief and pain. For many, life feels at times positively insane!

It can feel overwhelming to realize thereā€™s no time limit to the various crisis before us. In fact, since so many fault lines have been revealed by the pandemic, weā€™ll doubtlessly need many years to heal the broken and/or faulty structures within our political, economic and societal system. Not to mention the human predation of our planet.

Bare oaks in the Laguna de Santa Rosa.
Bare oaks in the Laguna de Santa Rosa.

How horrifying! But is it really? During this dark time, you can transform crisis into opportunity for amazing personal growth (and societal growth as well). You can become more than you ever knew you were, even flourish! Since weā€™re all connected, when you flourish, you spread seeds of harmony and power around you.

How? Start by knowing your vast reservoirs of power: of will, of endurance, of resilience, of love. This power may have been living dormant within you; if so, itā€™s time to wake it up and harness it to create balance, harmony, success in your life. And even in this time of crisis, you can flourish!

So how to tap into and develop this hidden power? Follow the guidelines below, and youā€™ll be astonished at how much peace of mind, resilience, endurance, and joy your life will soon attain even while storms swirl around you.

  • Be optimistic! Expect positive results, even if you have to change many ways you work, play, and socialize. Setting positive intentions to expect good outcomes orient your mind, body, and spirit to relax, relieve anxiety, and build confidence, faith that you can and will succeed in your endeavors.
  • Open your heart! Give love in large and small ways. Donate money to those in need right now, whether itā€™s a family living nearby, the Food Bank, Amnesty International, a symphony orchestra. If youā€™ve no money to donate, then give spiritually through prayer and meditation. Give a loving card or homemade cookies to a lonely neighbor. Shop for a frail elder. Send funny emails to lighten hearts. Be kind.
  • Organize your time! Identify a goal you wish to achieve, then create mini-goals to get there. Create daily structures of habit and behavior that give your life framework, meaning, and purpose. Breaking goals down into small chunks will keep you from feeling overwhelmed, and makes you more resilient.
  • Learn something new! Itā€™s a great time to explore an art form, write a book, master a language, take a course online, or explore whatever inspires you but youā€™ve never taken the time for. This stretches your adaptability muscles, builds new brain cells, and will bring joy into your life.
  • Find new ways to socialize! Explore YouTube, Zoom calls and classes. Just because youā€™re often at home or limited doesnā€™t mean you canā€™t connect with others. Friendships are vital for emotional well-being: Telephone or zoom at least one friend daily.
  • Take care of your health! You know the drill: eat wisely, hydrate, take your supplements and/or meds, do some kind of exercise daily. Perhaps dance!
  • Get outdoors! Keep your body moving, so it doesnā€™t stagnate, or lose flexibility, health and strength. Besides, Nature is a wonderful healer. Watching the trees grow, the seasons change, brings balm to the soul.
  • Pace yourself! Donā€™t push faster than your comfort zone. Endurance builds this way, as all athletes know. Keep energy in reserve, or youā€™ll burn out.
  • Practice positive self-talk! Praise yourself frequently, encourage yourself, be extra tolerant and forgiving of your mistakes (and of others, too) and know that your self-image will flourish if you keep loving yourself and honoring your needs. Share this positive attitude with others.
  • Never give up! This dark time will end, and when it does, if you choose, youā€™ll be richer in wisdom, love, resilience and adaptability. And like skipping a stone in the water, the actions that help you flourish and heal, will help heal our wounded society and planet.

Gail Raborn, CHt.: Clinical and Medical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist, Intuitive, Storyteller.

Call for a free session: (707) 827-3615

gail@telehealing.com

https://telehealing.wordpress.com

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