I’ve been leaning hard into the rituals that remind me of our collective humanity, the astounding and overflowing beauty of nature, and the power of noticing.

We (and our nervous systems) are not meant to hold the seemingly rapid-fire trauma and injustice that is rampant of late (or has been historically rampant in too many communities). Pretending it’s not happening is definitely not a tactic I recommend. The strategy of putting our heads in the sand and leaning only into love and light has the effect of supporting the very travesties that break our hearts. My personal belief system is that remaining silent in the face of injustice only feeds the monster and makes us complicit.

There is, however, a difference between looking away/pretending it’s not happening and choosing just how much you expose yourself unnecessarily to trauma and collective pain.

Make no mistake, if you are able to look away and pretend it’s not happening, that is privilege. AND ALSO if you are committed to being alert, you must create the practices that remind you that love, beauty, and kindness not only will prevail but are ever-present.

Case in point, I was taking my daily early morning walk with my dogs last Monday, which also happens to be trash collection day. I easily could have been distracted by any assortment of things – the loudness of the trucks as they dumped the bins, the busyness of the day ahead, the incessant, truly endless onslaught of awful news, my own mind - the culprit with the potential to do the most damage.

Instead, I left my phone at home, intent on a morning of presence. I could hear a flock of parrots nearby, so I set off to find them (*footnote: if you are an Angelino you are likely familiar with the flocks of bright green and red parrots dispersed throughout the city). The parrots and the crows that frequent my neighborhood are definitely engaged in some serious beef of late, as their morning clashes can be heard blocks and blocks away.

The puppies and I followed the squawks which grew louder and louder as we approached until we finally found the parrots. They (about twenty of them) were gathered feasting on a very low persimmon (I think) tree. They couldn’t have cared less about me, my dogs, the news, who is in political power, or any of the other thoughts that were swirling in my mind. These vibrant, bright-green, red-headed beauties were fully immersed in their persimmon party.

My point? Find yourself your own version of a persimmon party every now and then.

The practices that support me…

Living sober - choosing radical presence and rejecting alcohol and any other substance that serves to compromise my physical and emotional wellbeing is the cornerstone of my health and spiritual practices.
Physical movement: strength training, hiking, and/or cardio. Every day. No matter what.
Spiritual and physical movement: always yoga to integrate body, mind, and soul. Union.
Meditation: whether it’s a still sit or a slow walk intent on noticing (no phone)
Nature: time in nature - on a dirt path, a hike in the hills, an urban walk, beach time. She always soothes the soul.
Connection with the people I love and even people I don’t know. Kindness, connection, and community are the antidotes to dis-ease.
Puppy snuggles - in more than one way, my dogs have filled my soul with unconditional love and joy. Loving them back is my favorite.
Action: politically, altruistically, philanthropically. Being part of the solution lessens our feelings of hopelessness and despair in the face of injustice.
Kindness. Always.

I truly would love to hear what is on your list.

I love you.