We Will All Be OK. You Are Not Alone.
Marissa Levin
5x entrepreneur. Best-selling leadership author. C-level coach. Conscious leadership & Culture expert. Board expert. Master facilitator. MA in OD & ISD. Transforming clients w/the Enneagram, EI, & XChange Facilitation.
Happy Monday friends. Yesterday a friend who was feeling discouraged and fearful reached out after watching my Sunday video post. She wanted to know how I consistently maintain a strong, positive attitude with everything going on in the world. I was so happy to hear from her, and proud of her for asking for help.
The fact is, the world is very chaotic right now, with multiple events and circumstances that can easily overwhelm us. There is so much turmoil that has led to tremendous human suffering: illness, job loss, business destruction, fires, hurricanes, social unrest, political uncertainty... it's a crazy time. The collective human spirit is indeed being tested.
It's not that I don't become overwhelmed or sad. I do. I personally know many people whose lives have been upended - especially business owners who have done all of the "right" things and have literally watched their dreams, their security, and all that they have built vanish into thin air. All of the motivational advice in the world will not restore their spirit, or replenish their life savings, or help them to simply walk away from their life's work and start over. And those of us that love these people feel so helpless... we have palpable pain in our hearts as we watch them suffer.
I also get scared and discouraged on a personal level, thinking, "What does my future hold?" "Will I be OK?"
This is all part of the human condition.... feeling everything. Leaning into everything. When I am in this space, I tap into the skills and tools I have collected over 2 decades of intensive spiritual and emotional development to reset myself. I remind myself of these things:
1: I have the power to shift my thoughts in any moment.
2: All feelings and emotions are valid but they are data points for where I am at a precise moment in time. They are not indicators of where I am going.
3: I have the ability to reduce the size of my "lens" regarding what I am focusing on. Rather than scanning the entire world, I can bring it back to what is right in front of me.
4: I am of no use to this world, and can't help others, if I am paralyzed by fear. I can help others at the individual and collective level when my mind is not racing with adrenaline and cortisol (the chemicals associated with stress & anxiety), because I am able to connect and create when I am in a state of Flow, Gratitude, and Abundance.
5: I reach out for help to connect with friends and family.
6: I limit my media intake, absorbing just enough to stay informed, but not so much that it creates a physical, visceral reaction in my body. I know my triggers and I avoid them.
7: I actively seek out media that teaches me how to positively engage with the world, and that elevates my levels of consciousness. I basically have created my own "Consciousness MBA" this summer by immersing myself in the writings and teaching of the best teachers on this topic. This has been immensely helpful.
8: I heavily lean on the philosophy of Surrender. I am a big Michael Singer fan. He wrote "The Surrender Experiment." This is always my fall-back mindset when things become overwhelming.
9: I take very good care of my physical health. I protect the health of my gut (big correlation between mind-gut health), I drink a lot of water, I'm super-protective of my sleep, I work out daily, I am in nature every day for a few hours. Our health is our greatest wealth.
10: Finally, my breathwork and meditation practices are my lifeline. I meditate at least twice a day, even if it is simply 10 minutes each time. My Insight Timer app is a saving grace for me, as well as some YouTube channels.
I am sharing (again) the 10-minute morning meditation that I listen to several times a week. It is so gentle, simple, and beautiful, and shares this mantra:
"Today is a beautiful day of opportunity.
I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
I open myself to the universe
And trust in the unfolding of my life."
Here is the Meditation link: https://youtu.be/FGO8IWiusJo
I hope my tips to stay grounded help you.
We are all in this together. We are all connected. You are not alone. You are loved, supported, and cherished. In your struggles, so many walk beside you. In your victories, so many celebrate you. Breath by breath, moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, we will all be OK.
Sending love and light to all.
I untangle CEOs from their operations as they grow their team. You have a powerful vision so let’s free up your time and make it happen! Experienced Fractional Operations Manager
2 年I also embrace many of these same practices, Marissa. It requires discipline. I do allow myself time in the early morning to connect with the world events and grieve and pray.
Focused on Giving High-Value Referrals ? Referral-Centric Marketing ? Entrepreneur Magazine Contributor ? PR & Media Insider ? Fractional CMO ? Personal Branding
3 年LOVE this post (sharing). I especially appreciated "limiting media intake". I took a major detox from the TV about 20 years ago. I have not watched what was once called "News" since Walter Kronkite died. New media... that is a beast that we all need to manage even more so.
CMO @ Learn2Franchise.com | SEO Manager @ DeliberateDirections.com | Founder @ NexusMKTG.com
3 年Beautiful post, thank you for sharing! What books or videos have been the most inspirational to you within your “Consciousness MBA”? I’ve realized that a lot of books I’ve been reading (business books) haven’t really addressed some of the emotional/mental challenges of this year, so I’m curious to know what readings have helped you find ways to positively engage.
Retired- Portfolio Specialist at Edelman Financial Engines LLC
4 年Thanks Marissa...the world is in the same storm and these are all so valid. Great tools to have in our tool belt that we’ve undoubtedly utilized before and forget about in uncertain times. Important to find joy in the smallest ways.