Counteract

I'm grateful for another opportunity to connect with you to share some simple thoughts that will hopefully bring some light to your world this week.

In recent weeks there have been several situations and conversations that have reminded me of a coping tool that helps me to Counteract the flood of feeling overwhelmed and stressed by all the news and trauma happening in the world.

Here's the basic idea: when life feels out of control and overwhelming because of all the big things happening in the world that are beyond my control, my ability to focus back on the small things I can control helps to Counteract that sense of feeling out of control and overwhelmed. 

Said another way - taking control of what I can, often the simple things right in front of me right now, can help to Counteract the cascading onslaught of news that leads to those general feelings of existential dread over all the tragedy in the larger scope of the world.

Or maybe this resonates better with you? There are times when I feel a growing knot of anxiety in my gut over the latest news and the decisions leaders are making that I can't really do anything about, but that I know will have a direct impact on my life and on the lives of people I love and care for. If I keep listening or reading the latest headline or post, that knot only grows bigger and more tight. But, if I shift my attention to some small action I can take - writing an email, looking up and engaging in a conversation with the people around me, reading a book, etc., those small actions help to Counteract the knot, loosening it up within me. 

One more way to think about it - Focusing on the micro - the small things I can be grateful for - the warm sun, the chirping birds, the smile of my friend - and actively taking notice of them with gratitude and intention, helps to Counteract the macro realities of the world I can't actually do anything about.

How do you actively work to Counteract those times when you feel out of control and overwhelmed? What are the ways you shift your focus from the macro to the micro to help you Counteract that sense of existential dread in the air? Are there practical, small steps you could take today, things that are right in front of you that you can control that might be effective in helping you to Counteract the knot in your gut?

Here's to doing what we can to Counteract the stuff we can't!

Be Well,

Stephen

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