I'm not asleep over here; I know enough about the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad things going on. But I'm letting in the nice news, too. Are you? Getting enough nice news, I mean.
I'm all for staying informed, but I can't respond appropriately if I allow myself to be angry or numbed into submission every day. I keep my social media and news input at about 5 minutes per day. Sometimes less.
I realize a big truth every spring, that I - as an individual and as a part of society- am the shiva and the shakti - a creator and a destroyer - in the cycle of life. I feel myself a part of this cycle as I plant herbs in my garden, digging weeds and moving the soil, as I simultaneously destroy the habitats and lives of unseen organisms. We have never been, nor can we ever be separate from the things we create and destroy.
A stinging cut on my arm reminds me of how nature pushes back, like when I received a good smacking from my fig tree while attempting to prune its branches. Although I was startled and not at all happy about it, I needed the reminder to approach the tree with respect. After tending my wound, I paused before each cut in a way to benefit the tree's fruiting (which benefits me, also), not simply to satisfy my aesthetic preferences for how the tree looks from my front window.
I feel similarly about social resistance. Some people are like the branch-cutters and others are like the tree. When I see oppression or aggression, I also look for and celebrate those who are like the tree: the resisters, peacemakers, and diplomats. I think that's nice news.
There is a lot of good - if you know where to look - that is inspiring, interesting, awe-inspiring, and kind-hearted that makes the world go 'round. So, I wanted to share with you one thing that has helped me keep my news-checking in check over the past two years.
Nice News is a free daily newsletter that focuses on articles about people helping people, animals, and the environment through science, health, inventions, discoveries, sports, technology, acts of kindness, and more. It's free, and there's no politics or drama.
I wish you a balanced spring season and encourage you to find the good, enJOY some nice news, and let me know if you need any help keeping in balance. Yoga is good for these kinds of things. <3
In peace,
Kristen
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