When the world's problems seem too big to handle

I have started writing to you many times. And stopped again.

Because this issue on my heart is weighing heavy, and "who am I to say anything about this."

But if I don't, who will express my voice?

And what does it have to do with your journey, your path of living the life you came here for?

Please bare with me, and I will get to that.

Our world is in crisis. The level of fear and hate has been rising exponentially in our societies since Paris. It brings the greater dynamic of exclusion and power games -- that have been going on in the Middle East for a long time -- to our doorstep.

And whether we want to or not, we are part of it. Our governments have had a part in it for a long time. Our arms traders have had a part in it for a long time.

But we, you and me, we haven't been involved.

And now, our national politics are infused with it as well. Our daily lives are starting to get infused with it. And that's even without being Muslim myself.

This is BIG stuff. It stirs up BIG emotions. There are no easy answers, except knowing that easy answers are suspicious in a complex situation.

So what do we do when it seems too big to handle?

One way we respond is by switching off, trying to ignore what is going on, "because it is out of my control." It's a very natural thing to do. Don't watch the news. Don't read the papers. And, at the same time, it is important to be aware of the consequences.

When we close off from part of our reality, we close off parts of ourselves. We cannot live the Life we Came Here for if we keep doing that. We close of parts that we need access to, to be able to feel all of it deeply -- including: inspired, loved, moved and safe. Are you willing to give up on that? To live on only part of your resources?

Also, when we close off from part of our reality, that which needs to be voiced and heard misses out on your voice, your passion, your fury. (And God(dess) knows, we need our fury as much as anything else to stop the tide of ever growing polarity.) History shows us that the silent majority didn't necessarily agree with Hitler, but they didn't stop him either. The silent majority didn't necessarily agree with Stalin, but they didn't stop him either.

The complexity of our time is that it isn't one man we need to stop. It's a way of thinking, the "them" or "us" mentality that is alienating everyone from the Muslim religion from "us" in the West. But the dynamics are the same. And we need your voice too.

Even if you have no answers, if you don't know. Talk about that, talk about what you do know. About how every Muslim is NOT an enemy. How it does not feel right to exclude "normal" people, who are every bit as extraordinarily beautifully human as you and me. (Part of me can't even believe I'm writing this.) Every time you say something, extend a hand or a smile, you are helping build another wave of energy. Every little action can cause a ripple effect, and we never know exactly where it starts. Please help in giving it lots of little acts of kindness and your truth.

But before we can do that, we need to acknowledge what it is that we are feeling. The fear, hate, injustice, ignorance, grief, disbelief, overwhelm, frustration, sadness, hopelessness, anything and all of it.

It takes guts to sit down and really feel into it.

Britain adding to the bombing in Syria.
Mr. Trump's unbelievable discourse.
The Dutch PVV (a right wing political party) actively recruiting people with "aversion to islam."

Feel into it and not stay in overwhelm. That is my practice. To open my heart, feel it and breath into it. Just that. For as long as I can.

But why on earth would you do that?

(Maybe because we need you to... Because everyone on the team is more than welcome, at the sidelines or on the field.)

There is another side to this.

This is big stuff. And when there is big stuff, chances are it is triggering you strongly as well. In fear, in judgment, in denial, in whatever way your system works. And when we are affected strongly, there is strong "shakti" as my teacher Chameli Ardagh would say.

Shakti is life energy.

When there is strong shakti, there is a big opportunity to tap into your raw life force energy. If you can stay present with it and not let the emotions run away with you. That is what this practice of feeling it and breathing in it is about. It is a way of freeing up life energy, for you to live the Life you Came Here for. Feeling into it and taking responsibility for what you are feeling. Being fueled by it. Imagine the beauty you can create. (And we need that too.)

I hope you accept the challenge.

And I have a gift to support you.

For those of you who are healers -- and I use that in the widest sense: If you feel you want to help others have a better experience, that is you too.

I am hosting an online healing ritual, helping you connect with the energy field that connects all healers, past, present and future. This field nourishes you and bundles our energy to help heal this dynamic. If you would like to participate, you can let me know here.

I am with you, stumbling in all of this. Strong shakti, strong opportunity for growth.

Thank you for hearing my voice.

Much love,

Annemiek

Join Annemiek for the free online ritual: World Wide Web of Healing.

Or Walk your Soul Path with her guidance.