In my last blog post, I talked about coming back from my retreat in Panama to the over-muchness of the news. Little did I know just how eventful and worrisome these two weeks would be.
Watching the news feels surreal! There is so much denial and turning away from kindness.
I'm worried for our democracy. I'm worried for peace and civility. I'm worried for our planet. And these crises are all connected.
These are serious times that call for serious attention and action (which I don't see happening).
As writers, it's our job, our calling, our nature to be witnesses. We're writers because we're aware, interested, engaged.
But witnessing can also be overwhelming.
So today I want to share what helps me stay engaged and also protected against overwhelm.
1) Put boundaries around your media consumption. Media is designed to keep you addicted to it. Turn it off. Protect your mind against overconsumption. Does knowing more and staying up to date minute by minute or day by day change your actions and behavior? If not, is that extra information really necessary?
2) Take at least some action. Schedule something you can do each day/ week/ month to take action in an area that is important to you. Call your senators. Write a letter to a corporation. Gather your friends. Get out the vote. Passive consumption of media drains our energy and even impedes our immune system. It also erodes our democracy. There ARE things you can do. Schedule what feels right for you.
3) Be mindful of also placing your attention on what brings you joy and connection. A lot of media feeds on ramping up our nervous systems, on division and violence. Remember to also bring your conscious attention to the ways in which humans and the earth support one another and are kind. I see things that bring me wonder all around me all the time. Engage in activities that you believe in; connect with one another; move your body; learn and grow.
4) Repeat.
I'm inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh's Five Mindfulness Trainings, in particular his fifth training—to be mindful of what we consume not only with our body but also our mind. We don't do this because we want to insulate ourselves, but rather because we want to nurture what we value.
These methods are also similar to what I recommend for students working on writing projects: Be mindful of how you schedule your time. Put boundaries around your writing time. Come out of powerlessness into a mindset of empowerment. Don't forget to also focus on what brings you joy.
These are some wild times, and it looks like they are only going to get more wild.
That's why it's all the more important that we support one another in being mindful, staying engaged, and having a vision and voice for connection and peace—whatever happens.
I'd love to hear from you—truly! How are you doing? What are you doing? Let me know in the comments below.
With much love,
Nadia
PS: Upcoming Events
The Poetry of Attention: Fall Class Online
This class will take you deep into the craft and practice of poetry. Write a strong body of original work as a poet—or prose writer. Reconnect with spirit, presence, and the world around you. Join the waitlist here to be the first to know when enrollment opens.
Omega In-Person Writing Retreat this Fall
(September 29-October 4, Rhinebeck, NY)
Finding Joy through Writing Poetry in Challenging Times will be an extended period to focus on your creative writing and vision. We find ourselves in a suffering world, experiencing personal and global crises, and yet, we all have the capacity for connection and joy. In this workshop, beloved teachers and acclaimed poets Nadia Colburn and Holly Wren Spaulding share tools to free your voice and meet your life with greater openness. This retreat is for writers of all levels of experience. We'll use poetry as a guide for inspiration, but you can write in any genre during the retreat! If you feel stuck or are in a period of transition or uncertainty, this week together will be a time to break through into a more expansive vision. Learn more and be part of this immersive experience here.