A community in process - caring for ourselves and each other during challenging times
I’ve been processing and reflecting on recent events through my own experiences, and writing is one way I process from my small corner of the world. I want to share my thoughts with our community from an open and caring perspective. If this resonates, I’m here for supportive, constructive conversations. If this doesn’t resonate with you, I appreciate that we each have our unique ways of processing the world around us.
Let’s stay connected in kindness, openness, and respect for each other’s perspectives as we move through these times together.
If this is a lot of text and you would rather listen… Drop this text into Luvvoice
Dear America,
When outside forces try to divide us, exploit our fears and differences, and seek power over us rather than with us, yoga reminds me of the strength that comes from within. It’s the power to care deeply for myself and others. To focus on connection over disconnection.
By coming together, we can choose to be responsive rather than reactive in the face of stress and harm, fostering positive change for all, not just a few. Being different is not wrong. Caring for those who are hurting is not a weakness. What’s wrong is causing intentional harm, deceit, manipulation, hoarding resources, spreading hate, discrimination, disregarding consent, devaluing lives, negligence, and disrespecting others.
When we feel scared, overwhelmed, or unsafe, our bodies instinctively react to protect us. Even if our surroundings are fine, we still respond physiologically to direct or indirect harm, stress, or witnessing harm. In survival states—fight, flight, or freeze—we often lose access to our compassion and rational thinking. We lose access to our ability to problem solve and diminish our ability to heal. We may act in ways that create disconnection and confusion instead of clarity.
We need resourced and safe spaces to move through this survival state, process the information, and return to our inner power. It is in our power that we can show up for ourselves and each other to make a more positive impact.
Spaces where we can feel and move through pain, grief, discomfort, anger, frustration, tension, confusion, overwhelm, and anxiety—without bypassing, avoiding, or ignoring these feelings and without further harming ourselves and each other. By meeting the information these emotions provide with compassion and curiosity it can help us see the next right step.
We also need safe spaces to experience comfort, joy, and contentment—to be ourselves and to return to our whole selves so we can heal and move forward in supportive ways. We need space to tend to our individual needs while remaining in community with others.
We must identify and create these safe outlets to process our experiences, honoring and supporting our bodies through survival states and challenging times. This lets us pause before reacting in ways that could perpetuate harm or create more distance. Let’s focus on deepening our connection within ourselves first.
Then, when you feel resourced, respond within your capacity. Reflect, learn, and reach out to support someone who may be struggling. When you’re ready, listen with openness to understand why others might be going through difficult times to discover what each other needs. In this way, we can each help be part of the solution.
Even when we are kind and well-intentioned, we must be able to self-reflect and listen when our actions unintentionally cause harm. We need to take responsibility for our actions, even under stress, so we can repair and create positive change.
All of our feelings are valid, and everyone’s lived experiences shape the way we respond to the world. What truly matters is what we choose to do with those feelings and experiences. You matter. So please, take care of yourself and honor your needs—and let’s not forget to care for one another.
This moment is about more than winning or taking sides. It’s about asking how we can move forward together, not as opposing groups (as politics likes to divide), but as Americans and as humans—seeking ways to build a future that truly supports us all. Our strength lies in recognizing our shared humanity and ensuring our systems uplift everyone, not just a select few.
When responding to challenging situations, ask yourself: “Am I coming from a place of connection and understanding, or am I reacting in ways that might cause harm, disconnection, or diminish the power and dignity of myself or others?” By approaching our actions with this awareness, we can create a more compassionate and resilient community for everyone.
I feel like I need to define harm versus discomfort here. Harm is an action or effect that causes damage, injury, or suffering, whether physical, emotional, psychological, or social. Harm goes beyond discomfort or disagreement, as it often affects a person’s well-being, dignity, or ability to feel safe and respected.
Discomfort is a temporary feeling of unease or tension, often triggered when we’re stretched beyond our comfort zones or encounter new challenges. While uncomfortable, it can be a stepping stone for growth, inviting us to adapt or learn.
Let's prevent, repair, and stand up to harm within our capacity, and let’s breathe through and manage discomfort along the way.
I cannot ignore harm around me for the sake of my own comfort, and I must tend to my own needs so that I can support others. I am constantly asking myself: Are the actions I’m taking in response to stress helpful, or are they hurting myself or others?
Then, I return to the basics we teach in kindergarten—simple, yet wise lessons that we adults often forget:
Be kind to others
Share and cooperate
Be honest
Persevere
Stay curious
Have confidence
Use your voice, speak your needs clearly
Ask for help
Respect others
Have empathy
Love
And for the greatest positive impact, this applies not just to those we know and care about, it applies to everyone.
Matching harm with more harm is not helpful. Being passive to harm is also not helpful. When harm occurs, we fortify our boundaries, amplify the voices of those negatively impacted, take meaningful action, and provide aid and support.
It is my wish that we do not let the political strategy of division succeed and that we do not perpetuate harm. Instead, we focus on ways to come together as a community and see where we share humanity and the resources of this earth.
You may disagree and have different values or lived experiences, AND we can still take actions that reduce and prevent harm. I believe we can help more than we hurt. My practice reminds me that reducing harm, preventing harm, and standing up to harm helps unite us rather than tear us apart.
My observation and experience is that being human is f’ing messy. No one is perfect, and we can continue to work to do better. We can continue to repair and grow.
I am here for you. I am not here for hate. I am here for constructive conversation and positive change. I am human. We are human.
If you got this far thank you for reading! This is an incomplete conversation on a very deep, old, nuanced, and complex issue.
If you are in need of community support and resources to process big feelings join my Energy Check-In Movement and Mindfulness classes 7pm EST on Thursdays. 60% of the profits from these classes are going to: Black Women's Health Imperative
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All of my 1:1 services are on a sliding scale, so if you are in need of support, a place to process, ways to come back to your power and connection so you can make positive changes in your life and the lives of others, please reach out. We need your heart, compassion, creativity, problem-solving, healing, and incredible community care magic.
Keep being in process.
I love you with my whole being,
Megan
