Rx: Love Trumps Fear

After several weeks of disturbing social media threads full of fear and hate and judgment, along with some powerful feelings about what's been happening in our government and several conversations with clients, colleagues and friends about how to cope with the stress many of us are feeling from the constant barrage of negativity and fear, I had to stop, unplug, get quiet and spend some time reflecting on my own feelings and find a way to find some balance and make peace with all that's going on.

Here's what I'm noticing:

I am holding out for the bright spot in all that is going on in our country. I see and feel glimmers of hope in the midst of the fear and angst. I am witnessing a surge of empowerment beyond anything I can recall in my lifetime.

People are engaging in conversations that, up until now, have been avoided, discouraged and even suppressed for fear of judgment. Those conversations are resulting in connections that were never before explored and forming support systems that have never been in place. The old adage, “Silence is golden,” is being blown apart and people are standing up and speaking out about the issues that are important to them. Profound growth and expanded awareness is happening.

People are seeking balance, peace, understanding and consensus, which is leading to people setting boundaries. Clear, strong, healthy boundaries. On social media. In classrooms. In personal relationships. 

People are seeking counsel, standing up and taking bold actions on behalf of their beliefs and in support of basic human rights and, in my opinion, the most important premise of the constitution ... that all men are created equal.

The struggle is real. The challenge to maintain balance and peace of mind through all of this is something many of us are struggling with. For me, it’s necessary to strive for that balance so I stay emotionally healthy myself and am able to continue to support others in my work. If I succumb to fear and overwhelm, I am ineffective. If I allow myself to become surrounded by the fear that others project, I shrink and become disempowered. And if I don't practice intentional self-care, I am not able to show up and serve how, when and where I am called to do so.

I've been reflecting back to my pharmacy practice days, in search for a prescription or a cure for those of us struggling to stay strong and healthy through what seems like has become a long, difficult and endless journey.

The truth is, there is no pill. No tincture. No quick fix. Nothing outside of us. The truth is that we already have what we need. It is within each of us. We just have to access it, activate it and live it. And if we can't get there ourselves, we have to reach out to each other for help. Our future depends on how we choose to move forward.

Here is my prescription:

• Focus on gratitude and the miracles we can find in the moments.
  
• Eat well and stay hydrated. 
• Get your rest.
• Turn off the noise and get quiet.
• Meditate. 
• Hang out with animals (they seem to vibrate on a level that calms, soothes and heals.)
• Choose your sources wisely.
• Limit your screen time.
• Pay attention to when you allow the media in. Avoid early morning and right before you go to bed. We need our subconscious brain time to rejuvenate.
• Take care of each other.
• Find joy in the simple things.
• Ask for help when you get overwhelmed.
• Speak your mind when you feel inspired to do so.
• Avoid engaging when such engagement will only drain you.
• When you do engage, be thoughtful, respectful and intentional.
• Focus on those connections that inspire you. Not the ones that expire you.
• Be kind.
• Give and get some hugs.
• Let the tears flow as necessary.
• Visualize a unified world like a matrix surrounded by light and healing energy.
• And remember that it is possible and most important to send love into the world, even if you don't agree with what’s happening.

What if this period of darkness and divide is actually a gift to humanity? What if it's something to actually feel grateful for? What if this is exactly what we need to move us forward to a better place in unity? What if this is meant for us to reach out and have difficult conversations so as to better understand each other and set clear and healthy boundaries?

Science has proven that united we are a powerful force and that love and gratitude vibrates way higher than fear. What if this is the beginning of a whole new era? One where complacency has no place and empowered individuals stand up for themselves. What if we stand together in unity fully embracing the fact that love and compassion trump hate and fear ... and that, in truth, we are all one?