I look around at what’s going on in the world right now and it just feels so dark and heavy.
How is THIS where we are in 2020? How have we not done better?
And honestly I feel naive, so much has been brought to the surface that I genuinely thought we, as a society were beyond.
It’s hard to look at the truth of what IS AND HAS BEEN happening. It’s hard to see the truth of who we are as a nation—to keep being confronted with this horrible reflection—and to see the shitty, unjust reality, that so many people are living.
I’m not going to pretend that I have answers, or even real knowledge to engage in the conversations that need to be had right now. There is a lot that I need to learn.
But there is something that every single one of us can do, especially when you feel overwhelmed with the state of the world.
It’s to take a stand for what you believe in. It’s to embody, live and lead by example.
It’s to do your part. To identify what you most want to see in this world and then to become a beacon of light for that exact thing. To cultivate that experience within yourself and then to live it with the action you take every single day.
If you’re not sure how to go about doing this, the exercise below will help.
Step 1. Journal on this—what is it that you most want to see in the world?
Is it peace, acceptance, justice, love, kindness, compassion, laughter, joy, inspiration, hope—what is it that you wished there was more of?
Give some concrete examples of what this actually looks like in practice. When have you seen, heard about, experienced or lived it? Who do you know that embodies it?
Step 2. Close your eyes and place both hands over your heart.
Take a deep breath in through your nose and then exhale out through your mouth, as if you’re fogging up a mirror. With each breath you take, imagine inhaling the thing you most want to see. Maybe it’s a feeling, maybe it’s a color—but just imagine that you are inhaling love or peace or hope—whatever the word is that you chose.
Think of the examples you listed while journaling. Really embody the experience of what you most want to see.
With each breath, inhale that experience up into your heart, and imagine it wrapping into and around your heart, growing stronger. Then as you exhale out of your mouth imagine that you’re sending that experience out into the world—either through your breath, radiating out from your heart or both.
You bring it, you strengthen it and then you send it out.
Do this for 2-5 minutes.
Step 3. Brainstorm a list of specific, concrete actions you can take each day to live this experience
What can you personally do to bring more of what you most want into this world? Think of all the things—no matter how big or how small—that you could possible do.
For example if you want to see more kindness in this world could you bring your neighbors trash in from the curb, send a handwritten thank you note, volunteer at your local foodbank, smile at strangers, say good hello to your work rival, call your elected officials to firmly and respectfully communicate where you stand on issues that are important to you—look for every single opportunity that you have to embody and bring to life what you most want to see.
Step 4. Do what you say.
Put action to your intention, if you want the world to be different, do things differently.
Be the example to your friends, family and community. Let your actions be the light that you shine out into this world. Kind of like your very own Bat Signal.
Step 5. Create a daily mantra.
A great way to stay on track is to create a daily mantra. To do this, put a verb in front of the your word—for example, live peace, embrace kindness and spread hope.
Then surround yourself with reminders of that mantra. Wear a bracelet that has your mantra stamped on it, get a tattoo ;). Hang art work that reminds you of your mantra—like an inspirational quote or a photo—maybe birds remind you of freedom or sunflowers of hope. Paint your walls the color that reminds you of that experience or wear a t-shirt with an inspiring word or phrase.
Surround yourself with these little reminders so that you are constantly reminded of, connected to and embodying what you most want to see in this world in a positive way that inspires you to action. This is how you can be the light, even on the darkest of days!
In the comments below, please share your mantra. I’d love to know, plus you sharing will inspire others to do the same!
Emily