So much has happened in the world since the last post. I have needed to sit with myself and recalibrate without doing additional writing. During the week up to the election I chose prolonged media exposure as a way to process my feelings. That choice was unwise and in the aftermath, my perceptual field needed tending.

Not all media is bad for me. I find my anxiety decreases when I stick with fact based sources. Opinion pieces tend to inflame me before I can separate myself from manipulative language. Under the guise of information, I start to orient toward fear.

I’ve gone through the media cycle enough times to know I must be centered in the truth of my own experience. Once I know where I stand: I can effectively stand with others.

In complex times, there is the potential for us to come together in new ways, to renew our deepest relationships and then let loving kindness fan into our community. When I look at what strides we’ve made as human beings, I am astounded by our technological advances, from the impact of minimally invasive surgeries, to the labor saving grace of household appliances.

Yet, when I look at our capacity to regulate ourselves and co-regulate with loved ones, there is much room for growth. This is the territory that we can explore in uncertain times to re-establish trust in one another and to move ourselves from rigid thinking into the open-hearted space where dignity resides.

My commitment to this vision could not be stronger. All the offerings at Tenth House promote Emotional Resilience, Loving Kindness toward self and community, and Body Wisdom.

Wanda Sykes said it well: “Sometimes AMERICA is just going to AMERICA.” We can create our version of what that means on the yoga mat, the meditation cushion or our sessions.

With folded palms,

Jennifer