As the New Year began, I welcomed a quiet, spacious week that felt nourishing and peaceful.

I was remembering my dreams, which told me my nervous system was starting to recover from a year of being on high alert. Michael and I were navigating the strange sensation of having time to ourselves after orienting our lives around caring for a loved one in need. We headed into 2025, breathing a sigh of relief at the chance to metabolize the losses we endured in 2024.

Then, the LA fires happened.

Life is like a game of whack-a-mole, I told myself as I watched the heartbreaking news unfold. Just when you think you’ve reached a peaceful place, something pops up to challenge your assumption.

By now, I’ve accepted the fact that life is a constant stream of events, some pleasant, some not so much. Happiness, success, peace of mind, and stability are all transient states. Life is life, and it’s our preferences that get us into trouble. So, rather than try to get life to bend to our wishes, we’re better off developing the ability to center ourselves in a calm, loving space to effectively handle whatever comes our way.

But when you have well-developed empathy muscles, it’s not that easy. Disasters can take you down. The level of pain and suffering is just too much to bear when you’re someone who quickly steps into the shoes of those in the middle of the mess.

All week long, I’ve had to remind myself to stay in my own body so I stop imagining what others are feeling and instead return to a place of compassionate action. This means obtaining news from unsensational sources, getting enough rest to remain emotionally strong, checking on friends and family in the area, and sending money and items to those in need.

I also use the power of unseen forces. Several times throughout the day, I stop and visualize a blanket of gentle rain falling on the fires throughout California. When I meditate, I imagine the wind calming with every slow exhale. And I send healing love to every person, pet, plant, wild animal, and bird. I never underestimate the power of energy.

Being human is quite a challenge. Keeping it simple helps.

Life.
Without preferences.
Led by a steady inner strength.
Always moving in the direction of love.

Good reminders on this snowy day in winter.

Love,
Cheryl

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