There are more people amongst us than we realize that have been struggling - many are experts at hiding it.
In the aftermath of the recent Texas floods, many amongst us remain emotionally raw. Over the course of the past weekend, I found myself scrolling through Facebook far more than usual. The rainy weather and the tragic July 4th Hill Country floods drew me in. I'd read updates, take leave from my computer to do a chore or two, and then return, unable to look away from the unfolding events. We sought information, hoping for good news amidst the tragedy, checking for updates to understand the scale of the disaster and its impact on our community.
BLAME - It's Logical
We asked why this happened, who was to blame, and questioned why such tragedies occur.
In times like these, we often find ourselves wanting to blame someone. It’s a natural reaction - when we are faced with overwhelming grief, or confusion, we look for a cause, something or someone we can point to. It's human nature to search for reasons, to make sense of what feels senseless. During the flooding, I saw posts blaming a wide variety of causes including: government cuts, “climate deniers”, and government-funded weather modification programs.
Blame may offer some comfort, but attacking one another is not healing. It is not the way forward. These are the times that we must come together, despite our differences, and help each other with the pain we all have. (I’ve listed some organizations to donate to at the bottom if you are looking for a vetted place to give). We may feel passionately about why we think this happened or who is to blame but please, have an old fashioned conversation over the phone or over a drink and really see the humanity in that person.
Remember…
Nobody is smart enough to be wrong all the time - Ken Wilber
FEEL it - Ultimately it's Emotional
Healthily navigating life’s challenges means allowing ourselves to feel the difficult emotions and then taking steps to move through them, rather than trying to distract ourselves or bypassing them.
This week, I’ve spoken with all my clients about how they’re coping with this tragedy. It has affected everyone in our area to varying degrees. Many are feeling overwhelmed, lost, or simply exhausted by the sheer emotional toll. Some are healing while others are stuck in the darkness.
HEAL it
Personally, I found solace in solitude. I meditated, contemplated, and prayed, allowing myself to fully experience the sadness and heaviness in my body. Sitting with these emotions helped me process them. But then, after sitting in the heaviness, I felt the need to move. So, I did some yoga and took a walk (two actually!), despite my initial reluctance to face the outside world. The rhythm of walking helped clear my mind and continue the processing of what had happened.
As I walked, I encountered familiar faces, exchanged greetings, but kept my emotional space. Each interaction was brief, allowing me to maintain my introspective state. Returning home, I felt a sense of relief, and after a good night's sleep, I began to feel better.
If you’ve lost someone close to you, or if you personally know someone affected by this tragedy, I am deeply sorry for your loss. If you’ve felt the collective pain of this mass casualty event, know that I stand with you. I was acquainted with someone who lost a very special person, and I share in that sorrow, along with the collective grief we are all experiencing.
If you’re feeling stuck and are ready to feel better, it’s okay to let go - when the time feels right. Grief is complex, with layers and stages, and it’s important to honor that. You are not alone. Take care of yourself and trust your intuition. Allow your healing to begin or deepen when you’re ready. And if you’re not ready yet, that’s perfectly fine, just don’t get stuck. The key is movement - physically or emotionally. Staying still can keep you stuck. Whether it’s a small step or a big one, movement helps. In Chinese medicine, stagnation leads to illness. If you feel ready to heal, consider the following strategies recommended by the American Psychological Association. The most effective stress-relief methods include exercising, praying or attending religious services, reading, listening to music, spending time with loved ones, getting a massage, going for a walk, meditating, practicing yoga, or engaging in a creative hobby. On the other hand, less effective methods include gambling, shopping, smoking, drinking, overeating, excessive video gaming, internet surfing, or watching TV and movies for long periods.
REPEAT
Remember, healing is a journey, and it’s okay to take it at your own pace. You processing the grief out of your body and psyche gives you the ability to move forward in your life and also a greater capacity to help someone else that is struggling. The suggestions here are not necessarily a one-and-done experience but are practices that you can come back to again and again so that you can release the pain, engage in life or in helping others, and then release again, cyclicly as you need.
Please let me know if I can be of service through herbal medicine, coaching, acupuncture, or neurofeedback - all of which can facilitate and foster your healing process.
Organizations for donations, fund drives, and volunteer opportunities
Starting today and extending through July 20th, Headway Health is giving all profits of online supplement sales to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and the Sandy Creek Texas Families. If you need a new supplement, refills, or want to stock up and support those in need at the same time, please go to our FullScript dispensary and place your order.
https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201
https://www.facebook.com/UNITEDCAJUNNAVY
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/how-to-help-with-donate-to-flood-recovery-efforts/
Shalom AustinTexas Flood Relief | Shalom Austin
Directly give to an underserved, smaller area of Kerrvillegivesendgo.com/sandycreek
Benefit Concert for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fundhttps://my.thelongcenter.org/4112
