Calm Compassion Meets Anger

Mother Nature can be difficult in my part of the world in mid-January. Below zero temperatures, biting wind chills that will remind you just how cold it is, even dressed in multiple layers, treacherous walking on icy patches, sometimes covered in snow, making them even more treacherous.

My mind got difficult with me a few weeks ago too. Our new puppy Gracie significantly shifted my usual routine and I struggled to find time for my morning mindfulness meditation. My regular habit slipped away and I lost the steady calm that I had been starting my days with. That loss revealed itself in some unpleasant and unhealthy ways. Treacherous times.

I am happy to report that I am back on track, day 22 in a row today, enjoying Insight Timer’s “Intention setting challenge” for January. My head and heart settled back in and Gracie, my husband Darcy, and I have arrived at a new morning routine that is working for all of us.

My head and heart settled back in, but the world around me is feeling quite unsettled. Polar air and polarized times. I was angry at myself for losing calm and self-compassion. I am angry at many other circumstances beyond my control—locally, statewide, nationwide, worldwide. Anger can be a motivator to action. It was for me in my relationship with myself.

Anger at what is happening, how we are losing calm and compassion in our world, spurs me to action. I don’t always know what actions to take, which ones will matter, which ones are safe. But I found myself granted an opportunity for action in one of my recent meditation tracks. I was encouraged to send compassion out to others, including those I may dislike or be angry at. My heart was in a good place that morning and I felt myself offering compassion to people I strongly disagree with. I can send compassion to anyone and everyone on the planet. Yes, anyone.

Here is what landed: if I can do this, you can do this, we all can do this, and maybe there is a little less violence and vitriol on a given day. And maybe the next day there is a little less too. Maybe a little compassion defuses the hatred, greed, and power struggles. Maybe hearts are rescued, lives saved. Maybe one of those hearts or lives is you or I, or someone near and dear to us.

This is a maybe I can move toward. This is an action I can take each and every day. Will you join me?