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Healing Ourselves: Taking Matters into Our Own Hands
from our healing vacation in Hawai’i this summer Where were you when the Challenger space shuttle blew up? When terrorists took down the World Trade Center? In March 2020 when the COVID-19 lockdowns started?
The collective trauma we are all going through because of a worldwide health pandemic is real. The important question now is: What will it take to start healing ourselves?
Of course the situation is much worse for some than others. But—honestly—trauma doesn’t work that way. You can’t dismiss your own trauma by having gratitude that it’s not as bad as someone else’s trauma. Trauma is trauma, and it takes a toll on our brains and … Read More
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Healing from the Pandemic: Finding the Silver Lining
I’ve been doing a lot of work lately to focus on healing from the pandemic. I know it’s not over yet, but y’all know I like to get a head start on things. And moving ahead and making plans for the future is part of what helps me feel better in life. I know that about myself.
But I’m being careful not to move ahead too quickly. I recently heard a quote from Dr. Elizabeth Sylvester about how if we aren’t intentional about metabolizing our feelings, they can metastasize. A pattern I learned in my family growing up is to not feel my feelings. I learned that the faster I … Read More
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Halloween During COVID: What We Are Doing
Given everything going on in the United States right now, I find myself craving a little levity and joy! That’s why I’ve been wondering about Halloween during COVID.
The CDC recommends against trick-or-treating. That recommendation makes sense as a blanket declaration for the country. I feel okay evaluating the situation in our individual context.
We are definitely canceling our annual Halloween party on the cul-de-sac where we invite the whole neighborhood. However, I do feel okay inviting one other family over and staying in our backyard. Then we can trick-or-treat—being careful to stay very far away from others, to wear masks, to socially distance, and not touch the candy immediately. … Read More