These Times Require Adaptation
Photo by Jaclyn Chessen.
Living in the times we're in requires something different.
Normal has become a daily barrage of shocking executive orders, removal of rights, deterioration of the media, climate disasters, blatant hate, blame, and divisiveness on display—not to mention fears about the future.
I know so many people who are asking:
How do I stay informed without losing my mind?
How do I keep my heart open when all I see is pain?
What can I actually do to make a difference—I feel so powerless.
It's easy to feel angry, scared, hopeless, and exhausted. But staying in those states won't serve you or the collective.
My sense is this cycle of destruction is only going to speed up, not slow down. This means our response needs to adapt as well.
The behaviors, mindsets, and coping mechanisms you've relied on in the past likely won't have the same effect they once did. That's not bad news. Consciousness is asking you—and all of us—to evolve.
What that evolution looks like is up to each one of us. This email explores ways I'm shifting my mindset and behaviors to meet the needs of these times.
As you read, pay attention to your intuition and inner guidance. You may receive new insights and inspirations for the most perfect next step in caring for yourself and your community.
Mindset: The Parable of the Farmer
There's a well-known Buddhist parable about a farmer.
One day, the farmer's horse runs away. His neighbors lament, Oh, what terrible news! The farmer simply responds, Good, bad. Who's to say?
The next day, the horse returns with three wild horses. The neighbors celebrate, What wonderful news! Again, the farmer replies, Good, bad. Who's to say?
Later, the farmer's son tries to tame one of the wild horses and breaks his leg. What a tragedy! the neighbors exclaim. The farmer responds, Good, bad. Who's to say?
Soon after, the army arrives to conscript young men for war, but because of his injury, the son is spared. The neighbors rejoice, What a blessing! And once again, the farmer replies, Good, bad. Who's to say?
I think about this parable with each passing day. When my mind wants to declare something as bad, I remind myself: We are in the middle of the story. We don't yet know how humanity's evolution in consciousness will unfold.
The Intelligence of Life wants growth and expansion. Its ways are mysterious and often painful—not out of punishment, but because adversity is how humans wake up.
The more you can remember that we're not at the end of the story, the more you'll create space for neutrality. And neutrality opens the door to new perspectives, ideas, and solutions.
When we're stuck in reaction, the stress response builds steam and cycles on repeat—leading to more fear, anger, hopelessness, and apathy.
The way out is to find your grounding. The parable helps me do that.
Your Grounding
You are a human being. That's two words. Human. Being. You are more than your name, your personality, your thoughts, your emotions, your physical pain. You are consciousness itself. And the more you sink into and experience this truth, the freer you become.
Intellect has been highly praised in our world. Analyzing, problem-solving, and deductive reasoning have been the successful paths to this point. But that path is limited—and part of what's being revealed right now.
Your mind can only search based on the data and conditioning it already knows. It is bound by what has been.
Your intuition (aka wisdom/inner knowing/consciousness) has no bounds. It is part of the unseen, eternal world, always looking to expand and create through you.
When you connect with this place inside, fear dissolves, perspective expands, compassion deepens, and love abounds. Safety is found here. Joy is found here. Beauty is found here.
Now more than ever, anchoring in this place is necessary. Too many people are untethered, caught up in the tornado of current events.
What activities help you come home to your heart?
I personally lean on a noticing meditation practice where I close my eyes and check in with my body, heart, and mind.
How busy or spacious are my thoughts?
How open or closed is my heart?
How restless or still is my body?
No matter what I discover, I do my best to allow my experience exactly as it is. Sometimes that looks like tears of grief and heartbreak pouring down my face. Other times it looks restless, where an inward battle of resistance employs every trick in the book to keep me from dropping in. Other times it looks like deep rest and going to a different state of consciousness.
Each one of these is beautiful. One is not better than the other.
This practice is about getting present. And presence is the entry point to Love. I honor this practice twice a day—to the best of my ability.
I also listen to podcasts, read inspiring books, walk in nature, snuggle with my dog and husband, spend time with friends, and more.
If you don't know what helps you come home, now is the time to explore and find out. And then from there, make it a non-negotiable part of your day—like brushing your teeth. This is brushing your brain!
Other Practical Actions
Be discerning about the information you consume. Fact and fiction are increasingly difficult to separate as disinformation spreads. Here are three independent sources I trust:
*I have no affiliation (financial or otherwise) with these news sources; I'm simply sharing them because I've found them to be valuable.
News Not Noise (I am a paid subscriber—but I wasn't at the start.)
Tangle (I am a paid subscriber—but I wasn't at the start.)
Heather Cox RichardsonLimit the number of news sources you follow. Without realizing it, my social feed had become almost entirely news and politics. It was overwhelming. I selected a few trusted and varied places and unfollowed, unsubscribed, and muted the rest. You can do this too.
Follow accounts that bring joy. Counterbalance the negativity with uplifting and inspiring content. You're allowed to prioritize joy in challenging times. In fact, that choice is essential to your wellbeing.
Check in before opening social media. If you're feeling unsettled, take a moment to ground yourself before engaging with potentially overwhelming content.
Set boundaries with others. If friends or family are riled up and wanting to enroll you in their upset, but that's not what you want, tell them with compassion. Acknowledge their pain and let them know you're not in a place to engage right now.
Take care of yourself. Notice your feelings and allow them. The Being part of you knows how to hold all of you—your fear, anger, shame, hopelessness and more. It's ok to let yourself receive—either from you or a trusted loved one in your life.
Take care of your people. Reach out to those most affected by recent changes—your immigrant, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ friends and family. Ask what they need. See if/how you can help. Let them know you are a safe space.
Make your voice heard. Call and email your representatives.
No matter the actions, mindfulness is key. Your power exists within you. You have choice in your response. And you can't access that when you're unconscious or feeling hopeless. This is why tending to your well-being is essential.
I'll leave you with this beautiful sentiment from Marcus Bridgewater:
"One burning candle alone can illuminate a dark space, but one burning candle can light infinite others by sharing the flame that burns from its wick. It's also a lot harder to blow out one hundred candles than it is to blow out just one. We're strongest when we work together. If you see someone who needs some light today, I hope you share yours with them."
To you, adapting so your flame can shine even brighter.
With loving,
Amber
live your best day today
Get my free guide with three simple, yet powerful, actions to CREATE your day (rather than react to it)
so you can feel more alive, abundant and on purpose.
