I’ve been cocooning. I’m on a news fast. I don’t check Facebook very often.
It’s just: I’m healthier this way. And I can best hold space for others if I let go of both outrage and fear.
“Feather” by Nathan, via Flickr Creative Commons
Sometimes this might look like disinterest, or disconnection from the political realm that holds sway over so many people’s lives. I recognize that real people will be affected by the decisions coming out of Washington, and most of it won’t be pretty for a lot of us.
But if I rest in equanimity despite all that, I take back power and authority from those who would steal it away. I don’t have to give away my solid, grounded sense of basic OK-ness, no matter what dire outcomes are predicted.
And maybe by staying centered, I can be part of a cadre who will see a way to make real societal change. (I realize that my privilege insulates me from the worst of the proposals, which could have devastating impact. All the more reason to stay focused on transformation, as best I can.)
Instead of following the latest issues around health-care reform, I focus on ways to re-form myself and my approach to my own health and care.
This is something each of us can do. And we can help each other. And we don’t have to wait for anyone else to make that possible. It can happen now and now and now.
Not to oversimplify the real risks to people with major illness, disability, mental illness, and others in danger of falling through the cracks. I appreciate every single person who agitates for the little guy.
Still, surely everyone, regardless of politics, can support empowerment towards personal/community wellbeing. Especially if it costs nothing.
What costs nothing, yet enhances personal/community wellbeing? Some ideas:
- Following Youtube videos from Lee Holden, who offers chi gong instruction to calm body and mind
- Connecting with likeminded folks, say at one of Kheprw Institute’s many civic-minded forums and gatherings
- Offering a smile to a stranger, chat with a neighbor, hug for a friend
- Noticing beauty
- Paying attention to one’s inner emotional state, and being kind to it
- Being kind in general
- Giving undivided (device-free) attention to a child, an animal, a friend
- Connecting with my Facebook group, A Transformative Space, where we play with personal/planetary transformation
- Enjoying deep breaths
- Dancing
- Walking in the woods
- Forgiving someone else or yourself
- Taking a break from media, or at least social media
- Your idea here
“Cocoon” by Louise LeClerc, via Flickr Creative Commons
My sense is that more of us could benefit from a measure of quiet introspection, even if it’s just for a few quiet moments each day. And certainly all of us could benefit from more real and caring communication.
I would love to hear what you are doing to re-form yourself, whether or not you find yourself cocooning in this fraught political season. Please comment below if you feel so led!
Shawndra Miller 
I relate to the cocooning. Disconnected from social media for a period during the election, and am now finding I have to be super selective about what I view and what I get involved in. There is SO much information coming at us, all of the time, including in the political arena! I find reading a gentle, meditative book is very soothing for me. A friend of mine wrote a book that has an entry for every week of the year–all about spirit and good things!
Sounds like a great book to help with returning to center!
I like your line, “re-form ourselves.”
Thank you!
Hi I am Sam and this is my first comment. I am mostly oblivious to political things except for what people tell me in person. I used to have a fix of reading Chinese novels translated online though now I’ve managed to switch completely to reading nature oriented blogs and science news. I used to stop for long periods when I was busy with something else then binge in Chinese web novels. I realize that rather than trying to stop reading online altogether forever it helps to be choosy about what you read online. I used Dolphins feature of having a quick dial list of websites to go to to vent my reading when I don’t have a book from the library or something else.
I hope you are happy, peaceful, and can find a way to connect with nature.
Sam
Thanks for that idea of having a dial list of websites–and kudos on the Chinese novel reading! Appreciate your stopping by my blog.
I’ve had a practice for many years of observing Sunday as a day of rest. Other than attending Quaker Meeting, I do my best to schedule no activities. I don’t turn on the computer, I don’t do anything I consider work, other than absolute necessities. I treat myself to time for reading a novel with no redeeming qualities except that it’s fun! My day of rest has saved my sanity and humanity. 🙂
That sounds like a marvelous way to recharge! I have attempted to do that at certain times, but I never seem to be able to stick to it, other than often going “screen free” on Sundays. Thanks for the inspiration, Robin!
Hi Shawndra, this lovely post resonates with me as I have been doing a bit of “cocooning” for self-preservation. I love your list of self-care activities. I also started doing Tai Chi Chih and meditation. Perhaps the most effective for me has been to only watch the news in manageable doses. If we take care of ourselves, we are better able to reach out in service to others. Thanks for this inspirational and thought-provoking post.
Thank you for your kind comment! Tai Chi is fabulous.