I mustered tremendous restraint and overcame the urge to call this column "What's goin on?" a la Marvin Gaye. What's goin' on? That seems to be the buzz on the wire these days. What exactly is happening? Why do I feel this way? Why am I struggling with anxiety, despair, depression, exhaustion, etc? Why are things the way they are? Why do things seem so backwards? Are things getting better or worse? Where are we collectively going exactly? How can I take care of myself during these changes? Are we really running out of the things we need to survive - fuel, food, and water?

The goal of this column is multifold. It will explore these and related questions. I do not know the definitive answers to all of these questions. No one does. What I can do is suggest ways of navigating the changes we are in the midst of and point out markers and guideposts. I will also recommend books, speakers and other resources.

These are unsettling times and it is easy to fall into one dark hole or another. A spiritual leader said that during these times anyone who is paying attention goes through periods of depression. I think it is very important to remember this. Some of what we are experiencing is not personal. It is in the collective. I like to think of the collective as the ocean we are swimming in. We are currently swimming in an ocean of fear, despair and also denial. Meg Wheatley describes the collective as being the air we breathe.

There is a tremendous amount of change happening now on many levels. We are in the midst of what Joanna Macy and David Korten call the Great Turning and the Great Unraveling. This means that the old institutions are crumbling and the old ways are beginning to not work any longer.

Self Care and Enhancement

The order of the day right now is self-care. I recommend doing everything you can to take care of yourself and enhance your health. This is always true and one could say, "Well, what's so special about that?". At this time, I think it is of even more critical importance. We are going to need our strength - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength - to bravely face where we are and look at what choices we have for our own well being and the well being of the planet.

I call my self-care program my "Health and Vitality Camp". I am exercising more, eating less and what I am eating is more nutritious. I continue meditating daily and decluttering my home to lighten my environment. I am also doing a rotation of 3 different body cleanses that I believe are considerably enhancing my health. I am also doing some fasting each month because I have found this very health enhancing in the past.

What is your program for yourself? Take a few minutes to write it down and then attach it to your planner or calendar where you will see it every day. I have mine written on a large post-it note, so I can move it from day to day. I make a point to read it each day even though I know what it says. This helps me to stay focused on it and honors my commitment to it.

More Next Month!