2. Media over-consumption is making us think the world is terrible ... when in fact it's pretty great. Overexposure to hysterical mass media makes us think things are worse than they really are.
Here's a great article documenting this. Just one quote:
"When people overestimate the world’s awfulness, there do appear to be real consequences. And while, as has eternally been the case, there are certainly pockets of the planet that really are getting worse on a daily basis (Syria), on a broader level there’s
solid evidence ... that the world is in the midst of a decades-long trend of actually becoming better: safer and healthier and more humane. We just have the bad stuff shouted into our ears louder than ever before."
3. Words of wisdom from Gandhi: In 1924, Gandhi wrote the following, in the midst of tensions and divisions in India. It's helpful for us not just in our society, but also our
churches, friendships, and families:
"If we have no charity and no tolerance, we shall never settle our differences."
4. Feature: The importance of attending to our hearts
One core insight in my recovery -- and spiritual renewal -- was this: It's essential to acknowledge and deal with our emotions. Denying them (by telling yourself "I shouldn't feel that") or stuffing them is a recipe for depression, hidden resentment, spiritual bypassing, and burnout. An important part of the recovery experience for me was developing a deeper awareness of what is happening in my heart, and acknowledging what
I'm feeling, instead of trying to make myself feel something else.
In the past few years, I've come to view emotions with an added nuance. While still valuing them, and finding it important to deal with them, I have come to recognize how fleeting they are. They are like waves that wash over the shore, and then dissipate, only to be followed up by another wave. Like the writer of Psalms says: "Weeping may last through the night, but joy
comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). They are important, we must tend to them, but we are not at their mercy.
I can't tell you how often I've heard people say -- when struggling to come to terms with something painful -- "I don't want to think/talk about it (because) I'm afraid if I open up that door I'm going to start crying and never stop." But doing this work -- of looking within and dealing with what is there -- is essential for their recovery
and ongoing emotional and spiritual well-being. It can be done safely and helpfully with the guidance of a skilled counselor.
For most of us, the struggle with our emotions from day to day is more mundane. It has to do with anxiety, sadness, insecurity, shame, or fear that we don't want to deal with. So instead, we distract ourselves with busyness and frenetic activity, or numb ourselves out with chemicals or addictive behaviors.
One of
the skills learned in long term recovery is the ability to ride the waves of emotion, and live with a sense of inner peace, even amidst the swirls of elation, fear, anger, sadness, etc. This takes time, and part of the spiritual journey is cooperating with God to bring healing, wisdom, and inner resources to enable me to do this.
The celebrated Sufi poet Rumi has a famous poem about the importance of welcoming this variety of experiences into our lives. There's great
wisdom in this, because often these emotions have something important to teach us. Even the negative ones. Listen to what Rumi has to say:
Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every day a new arrival
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected
visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight. ...
Be grateful for whatever comes,
because each has been
sent
as a guide from Beyond.
- Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks)
