Daily Gratitude: I struggle with this. Since I learned IFS, I’ve become more understanding about things going on inside of me. But because I have seen progress, I fall prey to the “age of instant gratification“ and want it all “fixed” right now.

The left brain part, though, is smart enough, to know that things are happening as they should. I hear my parts yelling from their rooms “slow down Terrie”. And even though it just echoes all down the hallway, I still ignore them.

At least writing about it helps me be aware and awareness is the first step towards my being able to listen to these voices (parts).

What will it take for you to first know there are unsolved issues in your heart and then be patient while you unwind that big ball of twine inhabiting your heart. Just like the twine, it’s a complicated mess and one thing is connected to the next…and the next…and so on. Everything is related.

Logic says it will take time to unravel it all. But emotions often override logic. It’s one part of growth to learn to balance logic and emotion. That’s the first goal.

Remember it’s one step at a time.

Daily Gratitude: Nowadays this is extremely important to hold on to.

If you let the news and its resultant chaos get into our inner being, the result will be continued anxiety and fear.

Again, I am not advocating ignoring things you can do. What I am suggesting is that you calm your nervous system and know your inner peace before you look at the options. Don’t get caught up in things based on how horrible the situation is.

If nothing else, take deep breaths before making decisions. If you are really scared or worried, maybe you need a social media or news break until you can calm yourself and your response.

Practice breathing techniques and even consider meditation to learn to calm yourself. The value of a soothed nervous system cannot be overstated.

There are so many things happening that we cannot do anything about that if we continue to get all worked up, it will increase your stress response and that’s not healthy.

The world situation is enough to increase stress related illness and that’s most conditions. If you have a chronic illness or an immune related issue, you want to minimize stress as much as possible.

You can find peace within. It’s nearly impossible to find it without.

Daily Gratitude: We have to remember this. It’s so vital right now. The worst thing we can do is pull back and away from others. When world circumstances are depressing, pulling away will only make everything more oppressive.

This is the time to keep in touch; check on others, really probing them to make sure they’re ok; volunteer more with people that need company (seniors and the disabled or people in nursing or care homes). If you think you’re feeling bad, think how a person who is already lonely and scared is feeling. Company achieves amazing changes in people.

Tell those you love why you love them and tell them every day.

Ask someone what you can do to help them. Ask them what worries or scares them. In case you think that is being too forward, you might be surprised. They may just be bursting to let some thoughts and emotions out.

Don’t allow yourself to be alone. You must reach out for your own sake too.

Connection, community, commonality.