A student asked me how to act during the current stage in politics in my country, Israel.

Hyenas only pray on the lone or old lion and this is the cause of current events. Many lost their lives, their health and their innocence and it is not over yet. Everyone is susceptible to poison in some regard and the country with inner strife may seem like an old lion separate from the pack and the carrion eaters who take pride in kidnapping and killing children thump their chests in their streets proud of killing children.

Now to the task at hand:

1. Breathe – Breath holds and breathing in an erratic manner due to response to outside stimuli and internal monologue are a sign to the body to maintain tension and we go over waves of hormonal release and decline. Focusing on maintaining breath regularity and regular depth will allow us to signal the unconscious that we are on top of things as much as possible. This is a practice that can connect you to much more but start at the beginning and it will lead you onward.
2. Move – our bodies require movement from jumping to dancing to simply walking. Allow the children to jump around and wash out the stress when appropriate, take a walk if it is safe, keep moving and active and the body will be more resilient and wash away the chemical signs of stress and fear. Shaking is involuntary but shaking and jumping around help in relieving stress as animals do after a rough contact. Keep your eyes from drifting down and look forward to maintain your inner equilibrium.
3. Touch – Humans need humans and touching loved ones. Holding hands, hugging and so on helps in release of positive hormones and regain some sort of equilibrium. Careful not to indulge without the higher brain as it is known to have many babies about nine months after wars and cataclysmic events.
4. Assertiveness – The meek may inherit the land after death but it will not happen today – Maintain and actively strive to get things done and lead yourself toward targets you put forth for yourself to achieve. Mark and celebrate each success in some small way. People who initiate and command have less trauma as they see themselves as players in the scene and less as passive victims. Be cautions but active.
5. Water the plants – Even in times of crisis there are mundane things that bring us joy and relief. Taking care of family and your garden, building and working on what is important to you. This keeps us from being afloat in the sea of events and how they are presented. Keep your base to yourself.
6. Build for the future – In times of stress it is important to stay in the moment and be present. At the same time, maintaining an outlook with an eye for the future keeps us from getting too grim. The future exists in our thoughts as as such it is an anchor we can place ourselves.

Keep safe,

Sharon

2023