That inner...something

Today is the first day of November 2024.

This means the world is watching as the US heads into a very important, possibly but hopefully not, world-changing election.

On top of our own loss, trauma, change, and daily grind, the news cycle is on everyone’s mind, whether you live in the US or not.

Another layer to the already heavy layers.

This is also the season when it is dark earlier and longer and winter cold will inevitably arrive in the northern climes. Lots of people dread this change in their emotional state. It becomes another layer to adapt and cope with.

All of that exists, but so does our inner…something.

I was speaking with a client yesterday who was really struggling with a lot of heavy stuff. This person had not been sleeping well and was being super self-critical and not very self-compassionate considering all they had been coping with.

But you know what they still had going for them? Their sense of humour and ability to laugh at themselves and be silly. It was Halloween yesterday and lots of workplaces dress up. (Even the important stuffy ones) This person said that “they were having this internal crisis while dressed as Marge Simpson, by the way!!”

Oh my, the image in my head made me laugh and was absolutely even better when I was sent a picture.

I was just so very happy about humans at that moment. The ability to carry all kinds of heavy shit, yet and also, to be able to be silly and kind, caring, intelligent and funny.

There is always more—more hope, laughter, music, intelligence, humor, and compassion to be found. It exists in the small moments we share as humans: caring for our loved ones, friends, pets, environment, and whatever else matters to us.

We all possess a remarkable ability to harness our "inner Marge," even in moments when we feel overwhelmed by darkness and despair. It’s essential to laugh, care for others, and embrace silliness. By recognizing the absurd and finding humour in the daily stuff, we can give ourselves the lifeline we need, especially when it seems impossible to enjoy anything or look forward to the future.

Focus on the small, human moments: kids in Halloween costumes, people putting effort into decorating their houses, creating a light, happy, and enjoyable evening.

We will all need our inner light as we go forward in the next weeks- between abrasive elections and the onslaught of Christmas everywhere, I know I am going to need to offer myself more opportunities to notice the silly, funny, absurd, creative, beautiful, compassionate things that humans are capable of to ward off the possible dark.

On we go,

Hilary

(I wish my readers in the US a safe election time. I hope democracy prevails.)

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