Collective grief has been in the air. In the U.S., there has been the need for collective death work and mourning for a very long time (forever?)—it was magnified by COVID and now is only deeper from the onscreen witnessing of genocides. Pain hangs in the air and over conversations. I ask myself how to feel it, and allow be changed—and for that change to bring a deeper love, not brittleness.
I write this knowing we need each other. Knowing that small actions do not occur in spite of collective change and direct action, but as pieces of it. I do not think the small actions are unimportant. I think that the daily work of keeping a heart open is anti-burnout work—it is necessary for longevity—and it is spiritual work. I also recognize that the softer my heart is, the less I am receptive to dehumanizing propaganda or willing to see living beings as separate from me or an “other.”
What are the actions you do to keep your heart open?
I soften by connecting with nature and my breath and body. Snuggling with animals. Snuggling with humans. Writing. Honoring my grief. Honoring my joy. Honoring the truth. Holding compassion for humanity. Remembering my why and listening to music that inspires me to stay soft and loving.
Some of the things I’ve written right now as ways to soften deeper:
- Grow a garden with intention in each planted seed.
-Write poems
- Move the body.
- Be around trees and listen to their wisdom.
-Place your hands on rocks, and your face in the ocean.
-Cry.
-Find others and embrace them.
I soften my heart by:
- Getting into my body through surfing, climbing, or jogging
- Going fishing and hosting dinner parties
- Singing (poorly) on my (shitty) guitar
yes singing is so key. youre reminding me to do more of it
I soften by connecting with nature and my breath and body. Snuggling with animals. Snuggling with humans. Writing. Honoring my grief. Honoring my joy. Honoring the truth. Holding compassion for humanity. Remembering my why and listening to music that inspires me to stay soft and loving.
"the daily work of keeping a heart open is anti-burnout work" Yes. Some of my heart-opening actions:
- morning rituals (yoga, meditation, or walk - on the best days all three; tea; listening to and sharing voice notes or messages with loved ones)
- maintaining and sitting with my altar
- noticing and sitting with sensations & feelings
- journaling
- listening to music & moving my body with it
- tending to my plant babies
- showing up to therapy
This is very good and I'm glad to have read it.