Finding Heart in a Challenging World
Photo by Getty Images via Unsplash
It's been an intense week here in the U.S. and across the world, adding to a long stretch of collective challenges. With conflicts erupting across multiple regions, escalating violence, political tension, and climate-related disasters, it's understandable that many of us feel heavy with exhaustion, sadness, and outrage. The world seems to be drawing us further away from our deepest source of wisdom—our hearts.
And yet, our hearts know what's true and what heals. They long for connection, compassion, and the space to express fully. They know that love is the only true balm, while our personal minds, often focused on survival, seek safety by pinpointing threats and placing blame.
The fear-based mind sees protection in control;
the heart, however, finds it in love.
This divide between mind and heart is reflected in the collective "shadow" we see rising. We're witnessing aspects of humanity we wish didn't exist—power, greed, gluttony, envy, control, and all the “isms”—fully on display. It's easy to label these qualities as “bad/gross/disgusting” and think they're the root cause of our upset. In doing so, we deny their presence in ourselves and cling to an identity of being “good.” Yet, these traits reside within us all at times because we have a personal mind fixated on “me, my, mine.”
But, this is also an invitation: if we can meet these shadows with compassion rather than combativeness, transformation becomes possible.
As Elise Loehnen, author of On Our Best Behavior, writes in her most recent newsletter:
“We must take all of our feelings and process them… Otherwise, we become that which we profess to hate—intolerant, distrustful, venomous.”
It's a powerful reminder that collective healing begins within. We must take personal responsibility for our reactions, processing our own anger, grief, and fear. And in doing so, we take meaningful steps toward raising our consciousness and creating space for true healing. Read Elise's full newsletter here.
Taking responsibility for healing doesn't mean becoming passive or resigning yourself to the status quo. This approach isn't about ignoring injustice; rather, it empowers you to respond from a place of inner wisdom rather than reaction. By grounding yourself first, you can take meaningful action that's aligned with compassion and clarity, rather than being driven by anger or revenge. This shift allows you to contribute to change in a way that's rooted in integrity and true purpose.
India Arie, soulful singer, songwriter, and activist, recently shared a way to connect with our hearts and stay grounded. Her beautiful song and caption below were the exact healing balm I needed. You may feel the same too.
"Even when sh!t's absolutely crazy, it is a privilege to be alive. And today I remember that, even in my anger and mourning. Self-care IS revolutionary.”
In these turbulent times, my hope is that you find ways to come back to your heart. Tending to yourself, even when it means meeting difficult emotions, is how we rise in consciousness and find our way home.
Let this be a gentle nudge to take time for yourself, connect to your heart's wisdom, and let love guide you forward.
With loving,
Amber
ps: If you're a coach (or know of a coach) ready to discover who you are beyond your shadow—by having compassion for it—my upcoming program is for you. The first early enrollment bonus happens on Monday. Don't miss out! Learn more here.
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