The breathtaking acceleration of multiple Earth crises can’t be denied any longer except by those in deep denial. As our world continues to unravel, we also find ourselves standing at the edge of the greatest shift in consciousness that humanity has ever witnessed. We are falling headlong into a new reality.
At this unsettling time, emotional resilience is every bit as important as community resilience. In fact, without it, community resilience suffers. How do we cultivate emotional resilience? Let me count the ways!
- Spending quality time with friends and family
- Deepening our connection to our community
- Extending our sense of community to include the Earth and every living thing
- Living a simple life
- Making healthy food choices
- Committing to regular exercise
- Spending quality time in nature
- Enjoying music and art
- Cultivating a peaceful presence
All these lifestyle choices are helpful, but the most important one is cultivating a peaceful presence. A calm and peaceful presence will have a positive effect on others. This is the greatest gift we can offer the world.
As the outer world spins more and more out of control, we can turn our attention to our inner world for solace. Following a spiritual path and developing a relationship with The Source—or whatever name you give to a power greater than yourself—allows inner peace to develop and expand. Peace is more important than any material item we could own.
The ego is a major obstruction to the experience of peace. It reinforces our feelings of separateness and produces all kinds of suffering. And yet we cling to the ego because we don’t know anything else. Even though we might like to be free of the ego, it clings to us like velcro–or so it seems. Fighting against the ego or trying to wish it away won’t work. What will work is transcending the ego. Meditation is one way to experience a sense of Oneness that transcends the ego. Communing with nature is another, as is serving others.
Whatever your preferred method of emotional resilience, make a commitment to practice it daily. It will serve you well in these unsettling times.
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