Holistic Guide to Watching the Debates Part 2

“There isn’t enough chamomile in the world.” ~Me, 3 minutes in to the debate broadcast

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I realized late last night that I had left out an important part of the Holistic Guide to Watching the Debates  (which, it turns out, is also a holistic guide to challenging moments and media consumption in general):

Transform emotion into action. 

A holistic model of health takes into account how all of the systems of the body influence and adapt to each other. Learning to transform emotions is an important healing practice which can be used to prevent the harmful effects of chronic stress on the body and mind.

But in order to be truly holistic, we must also address how we as individuals influence and adapt to the world around us. True healing occurs when choose actions that benefit ourselves as individuals, while also bringing the world into greater harmony. 
 

Here is a simple guide for harnessing the power of emotion to create change:

Hatred becomes connection — I feel the scorching flame of hatred and use it to melt the barriers that divide us.

Fear becomes willpower — I feel the penetrating erosive force of fear and use it to empower the actions that will bring about a new world. 

Anxiety becomes thoughtfulness — I feel the electric heat of anxiety to use it to spark creativity and intuitive knowing. 

Anger becomes courage — I feel the sharp sting of anger and use it to cut through habitual thoughts and behaviors to show up in the world in a new and beneficial way. 

Sadness becomes compassion — I feel the aching emptiness of grief and use it to hold space for all who are suffering. 

I won’t add to the unceasing list of tangible action steps we are currently inundated with during election season (and in life in general). There are many, many ways to show up in the world and transform emotion into action. If you’re feeling lost, sit quietly, bring your attention to your body, and ask the spaciousness what is the next right thing to do.