Day 15 - Befriending Our Despair

​Even the most optimistic among us can be affected by events

​You might be asking "Denise, Drawdown, Pachamama, and change making frameworks are all well and good, but what if I feel despair? What can I do if I feel overwhelmed by the state of the world ?"

​Meet the Dragon of Despair. This is perhaps one of the greatest challenges we face in our quest.

As compassionate, sensitive, open people, we can be overcome by the magnitude of the losses we see every day. Even the most optimistic among us will be affected by the staggering events and the daily affronts to our values, sensibilities, and even our sanity.

It is painful. So painful that sometimes we are tempted to close up rather than feel it.

Joanna Macy and her "Work that Reconnects" asserts that we ought not be afraid of the pain of the world. That in feeling it, speaking of it, befriending it--we transform it. Our pain shows the depth of our love.

If you are unafraid, then nothing can stop you.

Day 15 Action:

1. Watch Joanna Macy video:

Joanna Macy - Befriending Your Despair from Work That Reconnects.

​2. If despair and sadness are present for you, check out Joanna Macy's The Work the Reconnect Practices . Know that you are not alone! One of the best ways to transform these emotions is to connect with nature and others in ritual. I often use her Truth Mandala ritual in groups,

Even though The Truth Mandala and other rituals are designed for groups, it is possible to create your own healing rituals for reconnecting with your Source. Whatever your spiritual beliefs, make it a practices of connecting with a deeper source of wisdom within yourself that can guide you,

3.  Connect
Connect with something or someone in actual reality (as opposed to virtual reality) for at least 30 minutes today. This can happen out in nature or in human interaction. The goal here is to really connect --in the real world, so turn off your computer and phone. Give yourself the gift of uninterrupted time to just be.. I'll share a bit more about why this important tomorrow.