Thank you for the "office visit" today! I needed to hear that we can reclaim our joy and our power, in spite of, No, Because of what is going on in our world today! Power to the people worldwide.
Also looking forward to all your healthful topics!
Tanmeet, you are offering some very helpful medicine. I am almost finished with my deep dive into your book and will need more daily notes of hope. I prefer, as my vote, to be able to read what you offer. Over audio or video. Community is good too. Thank you so very much for reaching out to us all.
Thank you so much for this opportunity for me. I’m learning how to be okay with myself and this new amazing platform writing ✍️ process just commenting on others posts also learning so much from many people here
This is such an important message! I'm living this duality, which does, at times, come with a bizarre sense of cognitive dissonance but I'm fully committed to staying resourced and well in order to be present to what is happening. Thank you, Tanmeet. 🩵
Wendy, I am glad it served you and yes it feels dissonant at times but staying alert and informed can happen with also remembering that our full humanity also includes experiencing wonder, awe and beauty. Thriving through these hard times doesn’t always mean not feeling scared, it means often holding the duality with tender care.
Absolutely! I’m fully grounded in this space. You might appreciate this piece I wrote immediately following the election. It speaks to a similar concept.
🩵Thank You, Tanmeet. I was realizing that fear, violence, manipulating, dehumanizing, and threats are how some humans "get their way", and that most of us humans do not believe that it is healthy for any of us to use those tactics. So here we are strong, resilient, standing together as vile behaviors run amok. I was overwhelmed the other day with the sadness of what is going on in our government, and a friend dying from cancer, when I was at the store getting groceries. I didn't want to be bring anyone down yet I couldn't quite bring my joy up to my face. The cashier & I greeted each other and he had just had a lively, cheerful chat with the woman ahead of me, so I didn't want to bring him down with my heaviness. Something lovely happened. I met his eyes & asked him a question & he shared his sobriety of 10 years, his volunteer coaching, his joy in encouraging youth to do their personal best, etc. I fist bumped him & told him I want to adopt him & how proud I am of him. He asked my name & we wished each other well. Here when I was sad & not wanting to burden someone's good mood, I was uplifted & comforted by another's goodwill & gratitude. What a wonderful world!
Catherine, I love this story so so much on many levels. For one, I love the connection you two as strangers forged in that brief moment. Connection gives us hope. As well, it’s a beautiful example of how using Joy as a practice is often confusing. In that moment, you couldn’t bring “joy to your face” as you said, which is very reasonable and not necessary. Joy can be practiced by moments of connection as you did, a burst of gratitude or a moment of appreciating beauty or wonder in the world while still feeling the pain. In fact, that is how Joy is deepened even more. By feeling meaning, wonder, connection etc alongside the pain. They run together. This is a perfect example. Thank you for this teaching for all of us.
Thank you so much, Tanmeet. Thank you for the reminder that Joy is Justice *and* Resistance. When we lack the spoons to do more activism, we can continue to work with our Selves and that contributes to the collective. I needed to hear this today.
Iʻve been in a deep crash for a long time and Iʻve been trying to find the spoons to give to activism and other causes. I managed to find volunteer work with a nonprofit working on suing the current administration over discrimination & funding issues. Iʻm helping to coach witnesses and editing other PR writing. All remotely. Iʻm worried Iʻm doing too much though, considering my health. Your reminder feels like the universe speaking to me. I think I will try to listen.
I love the variety of ways you reach out to us. I take your wisdom in using all forms of communication. They all land in different ways. Itʻs interesting how a certain message might be highlighted differently in one medium vs another.
Iʻm looking forward to the heart health session. As someone with ME/CFS as well as rheumatoid arthritis, I am at greater risk for heart disease. I also recently found out that I have coronary artery disease (at a relatively young age). So I am very concerned about what I can do to improve my health outcomes and make my heart system happier.
I often think of my Joy as my inner light. I try to feed it every day. I can feed it in small ways (smiling at a stranger and telling them their smile makes me happy) or big (successfully storing enough energy to enjoy a longer writing session) and either way it grows brighter. When itʻs bright, I feel healthier and more alive. I have more to share. I have extra spoons. Even when Iʻm crashing, I have more spoons. Itʻs magic.
And then I understand why Radical Acceptance makes such a difference in chronic pain. Itʻs similar to feeding your Joy. Thank you for these wise words, Tanmeet. You help me stay grounded.
Stephanie, thank you SO much for all of this. I am always so inspired by how you reach out and work and serve others even while so challenged yourself. But yes, I do not want you to push yourself beyond your capacity. Small steps, deep breaths. Hope the info on heart health serves you as well. It’s always wonderful to hear from you!
Thanks so much for this video, Dr. Sethi. It's really important for me especially to remember that chronic anxiety keeps me from being able to act meaningfully and keeps me from feeling joy and appreciating beauty. I have OCD, so I have to fight that tendency to ruminate about everything. I have no interest or need for psychedelics, but otherwise I really like everything in your video. I'm going to order your book.
Melanie, I think the book will really support your journey with anxiety. I find it's helpful to think about how to balance your anxiety with other practices instead of trying not to ruminate or be anxious if that makes sense. Your tendency to ruminate came from a protective place in your brain, now it's just about also giving your threat centers some safety and nourishing in other ways. So grateful you're here in the community.
I am hearing from you and other leaders about needed actions and reactions which I greatly appreciate. We are not to get lost in bitterness and anger but use compassion to be passionate in caring for ourselves and others. It is overwhelming to see national changes that don't feel positive. Some of us have felt stunned. I feel a building momentum of ways to move forward in healing, helpful and caring ways. Thank you for your continued guidance in challenging times. I love "permission" to feel joy in the midst of sorrow; We can hold both
I’ll be waiting and watching!
Mona, grateful you are here and investing in your health. It matters so much. ❤️
Thank you for caring and sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Thank you for the "office visit" today! I needed to hear that we can reclaim our joy and our power, in spite of, No, Because of what is going on in our world today! Power to the people worldwide.
Also looking forward to all your healthful topics!
Happy to "visit" always. Glad you heard what you needed. And I always look forward to serving this community!
Tanmeet, you are offering some very helpful medicine. I am almost finished with my deep dive into your book and will need more daily notes of hope. I prefer, as my vote, to be able to read what you offer. Over audio or video. Community is good too. Thank you so very much for reaching out to us all.
You're so welcome Julie, so grateful you are here. And thanks for your feedback!
Thank you so much for this opportunity for me. I’m learning how to be okay with myself and this new amazing platform writing ✍️ process just commenting on others posts also learning so much from many people here
So glad Elizabeth! Grateful you are here in the community!
Thank you for being here. I have respiratory problems which worsens with anxiery
Thank you as well Marj and thank you for sharing your struggles!
This is a great, timely message!
So glad Barbara. Glad to hear from you!
Some reasonable steps we can take to move forward in troubled times. Thank you
Glad to hear it Nancy. And grateful to be here with you.
It always moves me to hear you talk, and gives me hope. 💖
Thank you so much Tanmeet for being here with and for us. 🙏
And I love that you use different formats (texts, videos or audios) to connect with us here, I think it makes it even more accessible for everyone!
Welcome to all the new subscribers 👋🙂
Sarah, thank YOU for being here and always being so welcoming to the community as well. I am truly grateful you are part of the community.
This is such an important message! I'm living this duality, which does, at times, come with a bizarre sense of cognitive dissonance but I'm fully committed to staying resourced and well in order to be present to what is happening. Thank you, Tanmeet. 🩵
Wendy, I am glad it served you and yes it feels dissonant at times but staying alert and informed can happen with also remembering that our full humanity also includes experiencing wonder, awe and beauty. Thriving through these hard times doesn’t always mean not feeling scared, it means often holding the duality with tender care.
Absolutely! I’m fully grounded in this space. You might appreciate this piece I wrote immediately following the election. It speaks to a similar concept.
🩵Thank You, Tanmeet. I was realizing that fear, violence, manipulating, dehumanizing, and threats are how some humans "get their way", and that most of us humans do not believe that it is healthy for any of us to use those tactics. So here we are strong, resilient, standing together as vile behaviors run amok. I was overwhelmed the other day with the sadness of what is going on in our government, and a friend dying from cancer, when I was at the store getting groceries. I didn't want to be bring anyone down yet I couldn't quite bring my joy up to my face. The cashier & I greeted each other and he had just had a lively, cheerful chat with the woman ahead of me, so I didn't want to bring him down with my heaviness. Something lovely happened. I met his eyes & asked him a question & he shared his sobriety of 10 years, his volunteer coaching, his joy in encouraging youth to do their personal best, etc. I fist bumped him & told him I want to adopt him & how proud I am of him. He asked my name & we wished each other well. Here when I was sad & not wanting to burden someone's good mood, I was uplifted & comforted by another's goodwill & gratitude. What a wonderful world!
Catherine, I love this story so so much on many levels. For one, I love the connection you two as strangers forged in that brief moment. Connection gives us hope. As well, it’s a beautiful example of how using Joy as a practice is often confusing. In that moment, you couldn’t bring “joy to your face” as you said, which is very reasonable and not necessary. Joy can be practiced by moments of connection as you did, a burst of gratitude or a moment of appreciating beauty or wonder in the world while still feeling the pain. In fact, that is how Joy is deepened even more. By feeling meaning, wonder, connection etc alongside the pain. They run together. This is a perfect example. Thank you for this teaching for all of us.
Thank you so much, Tanmeet. Thank you for the reminder that Joy is Justice *and* Resistance. When we lack the spoons to do more activism, we can continue to work with our Selves and that contributes to the collective. I needed to hear this today.
Iʻve been in a deep crash for a long time and Iʻve been trying to find the spoons to give to activism and other causes. I managed to find volunteer work with a nonprofit working on suing the current administration over discrimination & funding issues. Iʻm helping to coach witnesses and editing other PR writing. All remotely. Iʻm worried Iʻm doing too much though, considering my health. Your reminder feels like the universe speaking to me. I think I will try to listen.
I love the variety of ways you reach out to us. I take your wisdom in using all forms of communication. They all land in different ways. Itʻs interesting how a certain message might be highlighted differently in one medium vs another.
Iʻm looking forward to the heart health session. As someone with ME/CFS as well as rheumatoid arthritis, I am at greater risk for heart disease. I also recently found out that I have coronary artery disease (at a relatively young age). So I am very concerned about what I can do to improve my health outcomes and make my heart system happier.
I often think of my Joy as my inner light. I try to feed it every day. I can feed it in small ways (smiling at a stranger and telling them their smile makes me happy) or big (successfully storing enough energy to enjoy a longer writing session) and either way it grows brighter. When itʻs bright, I feel healthier and more alive. I have more to share. I have extra spoons. Even when Iʻm crashing, I have more spoons. Itʻs magic.
And then I understand why Radical Acceptance makes such a difference in chronic pain. Itʻs similar to feeding your Joy. Thank you for these wise words, Tanmeet. You help me stay grounded.
I cannot wait for your teaching session.
So happy for you! You’re using the teachings!
Naomi
Psychotherapist
Stephanie, thank you SO much for all of this. I am always so inspired by how you reach out and work and serve others even while so challenged yourself. But yes, I do not want you to push yourself beyond your capacity. Small steps, deep breaths. Hope the info on heart health serves you as well. It’s always wonderful to hear from you!
Nice
Glad it resonated!
Thanks for your calming wisdom in the 8 minutes post. You’re inspiring and gave me extra hope.
I am so glad Myranee, Listen to it often if you need to. So grateful to be connected and learn and grow together in this community.
Thanks so much for this video, Dr. Sethi. It's really important for me especially to remember that chronic anxiety keeps me from being able to act meaningfully and keeps me from feeling joy and appreciating beauty. I have OCD, so I have to fight that tendency to ruminate about everything. I have no interest or need for psychedelics, but otherwise I really like everything in your video. I'm going to order your book.
Melanie, I think the book will really support your journey with anxiety. I find it's helpful to think about how to balance your anxiety with other practices instead of trying not to ruminate or be anxious if that makes sense. Your tendency to ruminate came from a protective place in your brain, now it's just about also giving your threat centers some safety and nourishing in other ways. So grateful you're here in the community.
Thank you! I definitely needed to hear this today! xoxo
I am hearing from you and other leaders about needed actions and reactions which I greatly appreciate. We are not to get lost in bitterness and anger but use compassion to be passionate in caring for ourselves and others. It is overwhelming to see national changes that don't feel positive. Some of us have felt stunned. I feel a building momentum of ways to move forward in healing, helpful and caring ways. Thank you for your continued guidance in challenging times. I love "permission" to feel joy in the midst of sorrow; We can hold both