I don’t know about the rest of you but I’d rather deal with another pandemic than what has happened in this U.S. election!
Heartbroken. Devastated. Gutted. Bewildered.
After an entire day in bed with the darkest thoughts that anyone could have, I finally went to yoga…kinda hoping for some thread of yogic wisdom to be dropped that would help lift my spirit back to something functional.
But the substitute teacher’s only offering was to turn off our phones and she added a “twirl” into our Vinyasa flow. Well, twirling wasn’t helpful for me.
When I got home the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali was “calling” to me. I don’t know what it is about this 7,000 year old text but on several occasions it has brought me enlightenment even for modern day problems.
Sure enough Yoga Sutra 1.2 “The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.” Sri Swami Satchidananda further explains,
“The entire outside world is based on your thoughts and mental attitude.”
“That is why Yoga does not bother much about changing the outside world.”
“As the mind, so the man; bondage or liberation are in your own mind.”
“Things outside neither bind nor liberate you; only your attitude toward them does that.”
Of course everyone’s thoughts are in pure chaos right now. We’re grieving our hope for sane, valiant leadership for our country. We’re adjusting to a smackdown that modern day American’s don’t care about morals or ethics. They only care about their wallets.
And just like mourning a loved one who passes away, we have to be gentle with ourselves while we adjust.
This is what I’ve been doing that seems to keep away a mental spiral into complete despair:
Limit News Intake
Local news – yes. National news – not so much. Everyone is trying to predict everything. But look how well they “predicted” this election!!!! Mother f*ckers!!!
NO ONE knows what’s going to happen so STFU!!!
Less Facebook, More Instagram
A lot of fellow Democrats are already using the tiniest reason to post “We told you so” rhetoric. For me, this does not make me feel better because it’s not going to change how we have to live for now.
I’m only watching sweet foster animals improving their health and growing up. Or stand-up comedy. Or coaches who offer spiritual reminders.
Stoke your algorithm as you please!
Remember Those Who Endured
I keep thinking about Nelson Mandela and the innocent citizens of other countries who are currently under rule by a tyrant.
This actually connects us to a shared experience that we may not have thought of before.
Ground into the Present Moment
We don’t know what is going to happen. All we have is the now. Don’t let IQ45 or his other villains steal that either! We must prevail in spite of them!
We can’t change or control the outside world. If anything, we have to insulate ourselves as much as we possibly can.
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