3 Steps to Keep our Minds & Spirits Strong as we Support the Black Lives Matter Movement
We are witnessing the pain of one, become the pain of many. Our beautiful humanity is visible in the collective support of our brothers and sisters. This unifying sentiment comes with a wave of emotions that depending on our individual experiences may yield feelings of sadness, anger and/or frustration. There’s emotionally charged messages and images all over our social platforms leaving many of us feeling drained, confused or conflicted. Now more than ever, holding ourselves accountable for our emotions can help keep us safe from mental, emotional and physical turmoil.
1. Emotional Self-Awareness
One of the most powerful actions we can take during emotionally charged times is active self-awareness. Take a moment to take inventory of what you’re feeling. If you feel angry for example, look at that anger, acknowledge it and walk through it. Don’t walk away from it. Anger is one of those emotions that can feel like it touches every cell in our body so it’s impossible to ignore it or to walk away from it because it is patient and will linger. Acknowledging your emotions means feeling them without taking any particular action in response to them other than recognizing they are present. If anger is a storm, choose to sit in the eye of the storm, in the calmness, aware of the storm around you without stepping into it. Acknowledge anger without letting it manifest as destructive behavior. Say its name; say, “I feel angry” or “I feel frustrated” or whichever emotion you feel. Saying it gives you the power to choose how you react. Emotional self-awareness will help keep a strong mind and spirit.
2. Identify Your Intent
A loving and positive intent is equally significant as many other actions visible across the world in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. When injustice plays out or when we see our fellow brothers and sisters being hurt or even murdered, we may feel overwhelmed and perhaps even hopeless that we’re not doing enough to make a change or have a positive impact. Start by reframing your perspective. Instead of focusing on what you’re not doing, turn your attention to what your intent is. If you’ve sent a prayer, meditated on a positive outcome, grieved the loss of George Floyd in private or shown empathy in whichever form, then your intent is the kind of goodness that helps keep the momentum going!
3. Look for & Give Love
There is love everywhere around us. If you’re open to finding it, it will present itself in people and nature. The sensation of love can bring relief, comfort and soothe our mind and spirit. Call a loved one to express your love for them. Say hello to a stranger with loving intent. Hug someone. Say, “I love you” to the flowers or plants in or outside your home. Love reinvigorates and energizes. Ultimately, love is more powerful than hate so if we want to end hate, we can start by extinguishing it with love.