Finding Peace Within
The polarities of life invite us to live in the “AND” — to hold multiple truths at once. But today, I feel called to explore a different space: finding peace within ourselves when the world feels topsy-turvy, when the “what is” seems unbearable.
We work with leaders and teams driven by boundless compassion and a deep generosity of spirit. These are people who have chosen professions rooted in service and compassion. Their empathy is a gift, but it also makes them particularly vulnerable to the head-spinning changes we’re experiencing in this new Administration. Their hearts ache under the weight of fear and uncertainty.
For those who work with migrant communities, their students are afraid of families being torn apart, and they witness this fear firsthand. Even if their work with these communities is happenstance — not focused specifically on migrants — the significant presence of migrant students in their schools, shaped by geography, brings these challenges to the forefront. In the environmental and conservation sectors, they are witnessing rollbacks of standards that protect our air, our water, and our planet’s health. The pace of these changes has left many stunned, their resilience tested.
Even my tailor, a woman preparing to take her citizenship test this week, expressed her fear. “I’m scared,” she said, despite her deep roots in her community, owning a business and working tirelessly. Her worry was palpable.
The heartache among those we serve is real and raw.
The question becomes: how do we keep ourselves from spiraling into despair so that we can continue to function, to serve, to lead with generosity and kindness? How do we navigate the tension of feeling powerless in the face of immense challenges? How do we channel our energy in ways that honor all our emotions — including anger, rage, and sadness — without letting them consume us?
It’s important to acknowledge that anger and rage are valid responses to injustice and pain. Honoring these emotions allows us to process them and find strength in our convictions. Equally important, however, is creating space to experience joy and peace, even amidst suffering. Feeling happiness while others are hurting is not a betrayal of compassion; it’s a testament to our humanity and resilience. Being able to feel the full spectrum of emotions is vital for our well-being and our ability to move forward.
Yes, we can make our voices heard — protest, engage with political leaders, have conversations that matter. But for many, the energy required feels overwhelming. Exhaustion is real. And so, some of us retreat, forced to watch tragedy unfold or to turn away altogether.
The Journey Inward
There is also another path: a journey inward. When the world feels chaotic, we can pause and notice where we feel discomfort – perhaps it’s a tightness in the chest, a knot in the stomach, or a heaviness in the shoulders. Wherever it resides, we can gently breathe into that space, giving it our full attention. It can take practice, but in that stillness, our body’s quiet wisdom begins to emerge, guiding us to listen and learn.
By allowing these emotions to be present — befriending, acknowledging, and honoring them — we loosen their hold on us. Emotions, like water in a stream, are meant to flow. When a stone disrupts the current, the water pools and gathers until it finds a way to move forward. Our emotions follow the same pattern: when we resist them, they gather strength; when we allow them to flow, they find their course again.
This practice is not about fixing what we feel or pushing it aside. It’s about creating space for all of it — the grief, the anger, the fear, and the joy. In making room for these emotions, we rediscover our energy, our rhythm, and our ability to flow with life. Slowly, we reengage with the world, not from a place of depletion, but from a deep well of renewal.
In these moments of inner connection, we reclaim our strength. The path through begins within.