Let's just say it - it's a lot. The world seems to get crazier and harder and sadder, and somehow we're still supposed to pay rent. To feed ourselves. To take care of those around us. To continue "business as usual" when in fact, there is nothing "usual" about this business. It's a hard balance to strike (impossible, really) and I know that I, for one, have a tendency to make myself "wrong" whichever way I'm doing it.
So here, I just wanted to name that, in case you feel the same. In case you're beating yourself up for not caring enough, or for caring too much; for not doing enough, or for doing too much. Or for being paralyzed somewhere in the middle. I broke out into a loud cry over breakfast yesterday morning - it felt good, cathartic, necessary - but as I sat and asked myself what this was about, I realized just how long the list of possibilities is right now. And then the fact that the list is so long, became a reason in and of itself.
As someone who is obsessed with my home and feels very ungrounded when I'm away from it, I simply can't begin to imagine what the people of Ukraine are going through. I was happy to see that an org I've long-enjoyed as a host and as a guest, Airbnb, is using their network to help house the displaced. If you have a space you can share or want to donate, check this out.
On a personal note, my chips have been very "in the air" as of late, and I'm happy to say they're starting to settle. I left my long-time yoga home, as some of you may have noticed, and have been grateful to find some new yoga communities that feel more aligned for me right now. So if we're used to practicing together, or even if we're not, I hope you'll find me at one my new studios! And if we're used to practicing from afar, you can plug into my virtual flow starting this Sunday morning at 11am EST, which I'll be hosting on my own platform. I'm putting the zoom link below, and it's just a $12 Venmo to attend. If money is tight right now, send what you can. We're all family here, and as I've been so grateful to be reminded as of late, family helps family.
I love you and I hope wherever you are and whatever you're feeling, that you're finding moments to breathe, support in community, and easing up on any of that self-talk that's telling you you're doing it all wrong. There are bright spots to keep us going, like the brave people standing up for others across the globe, those offering support in any way they can, videos of families reunited, and of course - the always reliable - totally ridiculous animal videos that make us laugh out loud. Wherever you find it, find some joy, find some lightness, it's okay to do so, it doesn't mean you don't care.
Sending love all around. Til next time.
xo,
m.