Finding hope in grief can sometimes feel challenging. During these times of turmoil and unrest, it is becoming progressively more difficult to remain balanced and hopeful. Violence continues to erupt around the world, and the news fills TV, print media and social media.
The U.S. political situation becomes increasingly frightening as the Republican presidential candidate encourages hatred, individualism, further conflict and abuse of power over those who are already oppressed. How can we remain connected to finding hope in grief?
Consider limiting your exposure to news. Sure, remain informed, but once you’re informed, decide not to view the visual images over and over. And limit the time you spend getting informed to 15-30 minutes per day. Consider limiting your time on social media to 15 minutes per day.
If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life’s search for love and wisdom. –Rumi
Most importantly, remember that whatever we rest our attention on grows. So if you rest your attention on what leaves you feeling hopeless, your sense of hopelessness will likely grow. Consider resting your attention on what gives you hope.
Some of us are activists and will direct attention toward joining local, regional or national groups or committees who are attempting to do good things in the world. Or we’ll use our voices as speakers, writers or artist activists to create change in our local neighborhoods.
Others of us may be more introverted and feel more hopeless if we don’t feel called to activism. If so, consider ways in which you can create change through your mindfulness practice, knowing that healing starts with each of us individually and grows outwardly. Take good care of yourselves. Practice finding hope in grief.
For every moment that you spend feeling anger, sadness or hopelessness, spend an equal amount connecting with those things that bring you joy—a swim in cool water, listening to birdsong, walking in the woods. Notice what is good and right with the world, however small. And cultivate within yourselves through your practice a sense of balance that allows you to hold the grief and the hope.
Cultivate compassion toward yourselves and others, and then challenge yourself to try to find compassion toward everyone, even those who are perpetrating violence or spreading hatred. See if you can have compassion for their woundedness.
Try repeating the lines from Lovingkindness Meditation to yourself and others: May all beings be healed. May all beings be free from suffering. May all beings be happy. May all beings be at peace.
Warmly,
Jen