Let's Talk About Balance

Current events can unbalance 12 steppers

Ok, I've got our local NPR affiliate on the radio... and the talk is, of course, war, devastation from weather events and earthquakes, global warming, poverty, disease and more news of corporate and government greed.

Whew! Is it any wonder we get feeling squirrelly? I mean, we're bombarded with data that is anything but uplifting.

Working toward balance

I don't have any total answers, but I do have a few suggestions for staying in or getting back to balance:

The Serenity Prayer is great at this time... particularly the part about accepting the things we cannot change and the wisdom...

We need to honor our emotions - denying fear or depression or sadness or anger doesn't solve a thing except make us more vulnerable to reacting rather than responding.

Honoring emotions doesn't mean wallowing in them. It means staying conscious of what we're feeling and sharing that with those we trust.

This is a great time to increase your spiritual practice, whatever it is. More meetings may be part of your answer, or going to church, or both. Meditating will help.

Spend some time figuring out what will make YOU feel better. For instance, I have a radio that operates on solar energy and gets some short-wave. I have a propane driven lamp as well as a solar flashlight. I've also got a small hoard of food for myself and my kitty. And a big stack of books. When you know what will make you feel better, take some action on it.

Take some action for peace - join the meditation at 9 a.m. quietly wherever you are; visualize peace for the whole planet as often as you can.

Stay in touch with those you love and who love you... often, with lots of hugs.

Turn off the news at least part of the time. Go to a play (the arts can really help ground us), put on some music, work out or go for a walk. Be good to yourself, and gentle.

BREATHE! Really, remember to breathe, often... it helps!

None of us know what's going to happen next... we didn't before September 11 either, but life seemed more predictable. So life life as full and as large as you can, with love in your heart for yourself and all others.

Love, peace and abundance,