Last week the invitation was to have creative and spiritual practices to return to--how the good life is made of these essentials to return to, no matter how far we may have departed from them (meditation, walking, writing, gardening, gathering together with friends, etc., ). But the pandemic really messed with us. Isolation, anxiety, feeling stuck, long Covid, and depression are some of the ways the pandemic still impacts our well-being. We are still recalibrating ourselves to a state of integrity and balance. Integrity meaning wholeness, healing that which is divided within us. And balance means being present for ourselves and our creative life while also tending to others. This means any practices of mindfulness, being present with the moment, is a practice of recalibration. The Pandemic, the very real dangers of losing our democratic republic, and our tendency toward overextending ourselves requires that we find ways to recalibrate. Recalibrate body and soul. Recalibrate to who we truly are and what we truly want. Recalibrate to what is meaningful. Recalibrate ourselves to the present moment. Recalibrate ourselves to our core principles of engagement. What are your core principles of engagement? (12 Steps. Lojong Principles, Courage & Renewal Touchstones? ) Write about that. How might you recalibrate with your core principles? Contemplate that. I refer to them as principles of engagment because when they are authentic principles they engage us in an active civil, creative and spiritual life. Once we recalibrate (something we do often) we have more energy for our creative pursuits. In fact, we get more energy from this recalibration because we are restoring ourself. Restoration through the pause we take to return to the present moment and then recalibrate to what truly nourishes our soul and community. For me, (and I believe for the majority of conscious people), we are in particular need of such recalibration from the pandemic as well as from this chronic state of stress we are collectively experiencing. Part of my recalibration practices include attending yoga class, walking every day, meditation, and recently relaunching my book: The Clue of The Red Thread: Discovering Fearlessness & Compassion in Difficult Times. Because this was finished and released during the pandemic I did not have the focus or means to truly launch it. The message of the book is particularly timely now. We need to rediscover our fearlessness and compassion. I feel the energy in my body and soul readjust and maneuver toward this intention of sharing the practices and message within this book. A book that was written in collaboration with Parker J Palmer. When we recalibrate in one way, everything leans towards this recalibration. Contemplate how that is true.
2 Comments
Cathy Kennedy
7/3/2024 02:21:01 pm
Love how this looks, Julie. Good to bring your ever valuable books forward as anchors of inspiration during this stressful time. Often we feel powerless with the strong forces around us. But if we see it as a sign of the confusion in the world, we can take it inward and give out wisdom as in lojong practice. Looking forward to future postings.
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Julie Tallard Johnson
7/3/2024 02:24:56 pm
Thank you Cathy, By the way, you recommended that Lojong book.
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©2024 Julie Tallard Johnson, MSW, LCSW
Mentor, therapist, citizen
Transformational & Embodied Counselor & Mentor
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Mentor, therapist, citizen
Transformational & Embodied Counselor & Mentor
Most rights reserved. Admin