I spent time in the yard this weekend.
One of my flower beds was infiltrated by grass, so I started cleaning it up—shoveling out big clumps of sod and replacing it with plants.
The more I looked around, the more grass I saw. My digging (and my thoughts) got angrier and angrier. “I hate this grass!”
It was an extreme reaction to a well-meaning flower bed. Quickly, I realized: I’m not angry at the grass, I’m angry (enraged!) at our government.
In that moment, I felt a tongue on my face. My dog, Luna, senses when I’m frustrated. She tries to calm me with loving face licks.
Immediately, my rage turned to laughter. I willingly fell to the ground and Luna crawled on top of me.
As we lay on the grass, I realized: I’m mad because I’m so sad. I feel sad at my core. I let myself cry (which prompted even more face licks).
Millions of people are being harmed by the decisions of our government and there’s nothing I can do about it.
It’s natural to feel sad and helpless. Although anger feels empowering, it’s not. It’s exhausting.
I need these reminders to feel and metabolize the grief.
We’re all impacted by what’s happening. Our collective nervous system is jacked up. Our hearts hurt.
Give yourself space to feel the feels. Cry the tears.
This connects you to humanity.
And it opens you back up to love, compassion, and joy.
