What to do when you feel like the world is going down in flames

In this past week (as well as the past few weeks and months), I’ve spoken with many people who are filled with so much pain and hurt.
 
Understandably, they share that it feels like everything wrong is happening with the world.
 
Las Vegas. Puerto Rico. Hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey. Racial injustice. Gender inequality. Transphobia in the military and everyday life. Divisive politics. Environmental degradation. Gentrification. And the list goes on.
 
Some of my clients have asked me for my thoughts on what they can do as a spiritual practice to stay afloat in what feels like a sea of madness.
 
Mostly, they wonder what, if anything, they can do in the midst of all of this pain and suffering.
 
I’ll admit that, in the past two days, I’ve found myself crying many times as I’ve read the stories of the people killed and hurt in Las Vegas.
 
In the past two months, I’ve been crying as I’ve seen the news footage of the devastation and the anguish in Puerto Rico, Texas and Florida.
 
And that’s the first thing I encourage people to do.
 
Feel the pain if it arises. Allow space for the hurt and anguish.
 
Our feeling of pain is a sign of our humanity.
 
Our hurt and anguish reveal our love and connection with others in the world, even if they may appear to be strangers to us.
 
Our pain and hurt reminds us of the truth that we are connected. We are truly One.
 
Take a moment to breathe that in.
 
And in this remembrance of our Oneness, we are reminded that not only are we One as an entire human race, but also that we are One in this incredibly rich, powerful and creative Universe.
 
The creative energy that runs in and through all things, that creates plants as well as planets, is the same creative energy that runs in and through each of us.
 
Remembering this Truth brings us to the next step, which is to recall that we are not powerless. We have the power to choose our response.
 
In the hurt, pain and anguish, remember that you can do something, anything. You have the power to choose.
 
You can donate money. You can join a local effort to gather supplies. Maybe you can rally people to action.
 
Last week, a neighbor of ours took it upon herself to gather food and supplies to send to her friends and family in the Virgin Islands. She casually mentioned this to us.
 
Because of her action, Richard and I decided to buy a bunch of groceries to add to her supply. Her act of generosity opened an opportunity for us to help in a way that we could.
 
Even an act of calling someone to tell them that you love them is doing something. It’s actually a really great thing.
 
Especially in a time of hurt and pain, giving your love and connecting with others are simple and powerful actions everyone can take.
 
The more we can ground ourselves in love, the more we can bring a greater healing to this world's pain.
 
If you have been feeling saddened, hurt, angry or overwhelmed, I offer you this coaching assignment for this week.
 

• Allow yourself the space and time to feel. Really feel.
• Anchor yourself in love, making sure you yourself have strength.
• Then ask yourself, “What is one thing I can do?”

 
Then go and do that.
 
If the world looks like it’s going down in flames, you have the ability to turn those flames into your own fire for love in action.
 
Every action matters, regardless of how small or large it seems. Your flame can light a candle, or it can spark a revolution.
 
Throughout all this, remember that you are a love being. You can make a difference.
 
Abundant Blessings and Namaste.

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As part of my service to the world, I offer life coaching and spiritual counseling to people seeking support, especially if you’re looking at creating a greater life of meaning and fulfillment. I can help you figure out what that looks like and how you can get there. If you’re interested, click here and sign up for a complimentary life coaching consultation. I’m here to be of support and service