You may have noticed that things are changing in the world. It feels fast and furious, stressful and in many cases downright heartbreaking. Yet here we all are waking up, making breakfast, taking care of our kids, going to work, writing and reading blog posts, drinking coffee and living our lives. Some things feel the same, but one look up or out, and it’s clear that everything is changing.
When I’m faced with something new, sometimes scary, and definitely different, I try to approach it from the heart and lens of a gentle warrior. See more on views from a gentle warrior in these two articles:
Regardless of the line you’ve chosen to walk in these trying times, please join me in becoming a gentle warrior.
1. I will take care of myself.
This comes first. If I want to be a gentle warrior, I have to be healthy, calm, and well-rested. Routine is more important than ever. While it’s tempting to fuel my emotions with sugary treats or calm my nerves with a glass of wine, or 2 or 4, instead I’ll take care of myself and double down on healthy habits and prepare not for one battle, but for the long journey.
Be a gentle warrior.
If you feel rundown, or if stress is starting to affect you physically, pull back and assess. Are you putting yourself first? Are you building strength or avoiding pain? What’s one thing you can do today to take better care of yourself? You can only save the world if you save yourself first.
2. I will protect my mornings.
Writing, meditating and exercise come before the news, Facebook, email or anything that may derail starting the day with love and intention. It may be irresponsible to completely check out but everything will be ok, better even if I take a few hours in the morning to tune out and tune in.
Be a gentle warrior.
Who runs your day? If you are a stressed out mess by 8:00 am because of your politically charged Facebook feed or because you ate your breakfast while watching the news, reclaim your morning. How you choose to start your day will impact how you move through the rest of the day.
3. I will be kind.
I can stand up for what I believe in without being snarky on social media. I can make a difference without engaging in contentious conversations. I will live and act in alignment with my values and my heart even when I strongly disagree with someone.
Be a gentle warrior.
Check yourself. Are your conversations, and social shares inspiring action and thoughtful conversation or fear and hatred. If it’s somewhere in the middle, can you scoot towards being kind?
4. I will be brave.
I will stand up for people who cannot stand for themselves. I will not tolerate humans not treating humans like humans. I will support my friends who are brave enough to speak up. When I feel too scared to do it alone, I’ll ask for help.
Be a gentle warrior.
What does bravery mean to you? Is there something you’ve wanted to do or say, but felt fearful about the response? Start with a small action like sending a thank you note to someone who was brave enough to do something you wanted to do. Like everything, bravery can start small.
5. I will take action that matters.
Instead of wallowing, griping to friends, or giving up, I’ll take action. I’ll donate money to causes I support, give my time and energy to help move the needle, and help lift up the most compelling voices.
Be a gentle warrior.
Action alleviates fear and worry. Ask a friend to join you at a local meet-up. Volunteer for a cause you believe in. See what happens when instead of getting lost in the oh-nos and what ifs, you take action to support what matters to you.
6. I will keep listening.
I don’t know it all, or even most of it. I won’t take a stand for the sake of being right or controversial. I’ll keep listening and stay open to new ideas. I’ll keep listening to my heart too.
Be a gentle warrior.
Consider new information. Don’t be afraid to change your mind. When you do stand up, ask yourself why. Is it because you believe in this or because you are afraid not to? Listen to your heart.
7. I will still laugh.
A gentle warrior still needs to smile, laugh, and enjoy time with her friends and family.
Be a gentle warrior.
Call a friend who makes you laugh so hard you cry. Plan a date night with your love. Watch your favorite movie. Don’t leave joy behind as you navigate the new world.
8. I will keep things simple.
Simplicity has transformed my health, my home, my life and my work. Things build up and get complicated, but I keep coming back to simplicity. It means saying no, cutting things out, streamlining and sometimes stepping back to really see what has to change.
Be a gentle warrior.
Keeping things simple isn’t always the easy choice, but practice anyway. Be strong for the things you can’t control, by simplifying the things you can.
9. I will remove the drama.
Things are dramatic enough without adding another layer of my own, “the sky is falling” drama. I’ll stay up to date on the headlines with The Skimm instead of the drama of the nightly news or tweets from the white house.
Be a gentle warrior.
Pay attention to what’s real and what’s drama. Write down what you are thinking and feeling. Words on paper will help to edit out the drama going on inside of you.
10. I will go to the beach.
I live in Utah so going to the beach is a really long drive, but I’ve been happy there so many times that I can simply close my eyes and feel the sand between my toes, taste the salt in the air, and hear the crashing waves. When things feel too tough to bear, I’ll go to the beach for a few minutes to rest and fill my heart.
Be a gentle warrior.
Take a time out and go to your happy place. If you need a little glimpse of the beach, here you go. Then come back refueled and ready to start again.
Join me and become a gentle warrior
I became a gentle warrior by identifying what mattered to me and doing what was necessary to protect it. My tactics are fierce, but also soft. Join me by adopting some of the guidelines above or create your own. Take care of yourself because we need you. While navigating the new world, we need to show up for each other.
