In Time Of Crisis

Some Suggestions for Living Fully in Times of Crisis
by Bill Martin

Be very careful in your use of media. By its very nature, modern mass media must appeal to either hope or fear in order to grab attention. In this case, hope is actually just a corollary of fear - we hope that what we fear will not happen. Therefore daily headlines and newsbites are chosen, edited, and written to arouse concern and worry, not to inform, despite what journalists may claim. You might consider using a thoughtful weekly magazine to keep informed of the issues and refrain from the daily seesaw of carefully selected and worded tidbits of fear food. The thoughts that arise in our mind during the earliest part of the day exert an extremely powerful influence on our moods and actions for the rest of the day. So whatever media you utilize, consider refraining from the urge to use it in the morning. Wait until midday when you have already set the tone for the day and your mind is less susceptible to programming by external sources.

Cultivate Present-Moment Living. The ordinary moments before you right now are the most important moments in the universe. pay close attention to them. These are your life. I highly recommend a little book by Eckhart Tolle titled, The power of Now, for learning more about the importance of the present moment.

Don't hesitate to enjoy. Pleasant activities are still pleasant activities. Walks in the park are still beautiful. Loving another person is still remarkable. Food is still wonderful. Friends are still a blessing. In fact, all of these things are even more wonderful when experienced with the full attention that can come from a renewed sense of appreciation.

Practice your spirituality. Have you been waiting to establish a meditation or prayer practice? Have you been meaning to gather with people and groups who encourage and support your faith? Are you still waiting? Why?

Learn to let go. As your fears and distractions are hooked by a conversation or thought, notice how it feels, label it: "I'm feeling anxious and worried again," then count several deep breaths and return to that which is in front of you. be careful of indulging your fears by rehashing them with friends.

Get enough exercise and more than enough rest. Be aware that times of crisis often take a hidden toll in stress build up. Keep active through whatever means are pleasant for you. A walk around the block is far better than another 20 minutes of fretting or distracting. Do not listen to media before bedtime. Turn the lights low two hours before retiring and read pleasant books or play quiet games with family. Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than normal.

Assume the best about yourself. We each have within us wonderful natural virtues that we often ignore until they are needed. Courage and compassion are your birthrights and are waiting within you. You don't have to generate them by willpower.

Keep your perspective. The elements of life have always been impermanent. In the next ten years it is likely that 7,000,000 people will die of AIDS in South Africa alone. Let the suffering of the world awaken our compassion rather than our fear. Death is certain, only the time and place are unknown. Will awakening to this fact immobilize us? Or will it move us to live with full awareness, hope, zest and courage?

I continue to be hopeful that the entire world is entering the birth pangs of a truly universal consciousness. We cannot force that to occur. The only responsibility each of us has is to awaken to our own true Self. From that will arise all the courage, compassion, and healing needed - individually and socially. Be of good hope.

Blessings to us all,
Bill Martin

Bill Martin is cofounder of:
The Still Point - Center for Contemplative Living 
Bill is also author of a number of books, including: The Parent's Tao Te Ching; The Couple's Tao Te Ching; and The Sage's Tao Te Ching.

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