The manic desperation and rapid-fire unhinged bids to change the narrative have become increasingly wearying. We were not made for this constant onslaught.
Let’s all take a deep breath and change the channel.
Find something beautiful to look at. Sunrises, sunsets, the ears on a baby bunny, crashing ocean waves, works of art, and komorebi are some good starts.
Stretch. Like a cat after a good nap.
Get your shoulders out of your ears and roll them around a bit.
Do something unexpectedly nice for a stranger. You need not admit it to anyone if you want to be anonymous.
Do you have some noise-canceling headphones? Listen to some music that gives you goosebumps.
Hug somebody who needs it. Maybe hug yourself. Or a tree. Or your grandchild, should you be so fortunate.
Write out a heartfelt prayer. (Looking into the clouds and screaming HELP! works too….) Some days when there are no words, every breath is a prayer.
Get off the couch and put down your phone. Doomscrolling is going to ruin us all.
Squeeze some joy out of this ordinary day. Take yourself out for an ice cream cone and make it a flavor you’ve never tasted. Buy one for the person behind you, too. Or give your dipper an extravagant tip.
Smile for no good reason. A really cheesy grin. Hold it for longer than necessary. Like it’s your job. It will trick your brain and you’ll get the benefit of actually feeling happier and boosting your immune system…which we can all use. If you’re lucky, maybe someone will smile back.
Despots thrive on the despair of the people. But not today.
It takes enormous strength, but find your bliss. Scrabble around until you discover it flattened behind the door…just holding its breath in the shadows. It has been waiting in the endless hallways of your worries and concerns. Coax it out (forcefully if necessary), dust it off, and flaunt the heck out of it until your joy becomes more contagious to the people around you than the anxiety we’ve all been bouncing back and forth like a ping pong ball.
XO
