Codependency and Contentious Times (Part II)
In Part I, we identified some areas of concern for the codependent during these contentious times. Now let’s look at some possible tools for the codependent to use.
If you haven’t done your codependent work, now is the perfect time to begin. With social media, you can practice taking a stand for what is important to you. Post articles you think are important for people to read. Stand up to people who post contentious comments.
Let’s Talk Solutions
We, as a society, need to learn to discuss and debate — not hate and kill. We need to read lots of sources, get different points of view, and engage respectfully with one another. Lean into this crisis and let’s all be better people, vibrate at a higher level if you relate to the spiritual discourse, and make our world a place where we all care about each other.
Now let’s look at practical solutions for the five areas of concern we addressed in Part I.
If you don’t have spiritual practices, I highly recommend you develop some today. Start a meditation practice, a yoga practice, a prayer practice, a journal practice, or whatever works for you to quiet your mind naturally. The quieter our minds, the better we will negotiate these turbulent waters. These are intense times that I believe need to be met with strong, quiet minds. Make sure you have physical ways to discharge your anxious energy, but also make sure you have ways to get quiet when you need to. Think of the mind like your bicep. When you need it, you want it to be strong. Getting your bicep and/or mind strong takes practice and repetitions. Practice, practice, practice! Meditation/yoga practice and physical activity are great ways to counter anxiety. If you still need help with your anxiety, consult a professional.
I believe we gravitate to people who share our beliefs, to feel safe during these contentious times. Like mindedness — not people who look like us, but people who care in the way we do — I believe will become a priority. We want to be with people who can identify the breakdowns and find solutions. People who chose harmony and working together, rather than fighting and hate. When we can discuss issues with people who listen and understand, we feel connected. Feeling connected helps fight depression. Isolation is a major component of depression and we need to work to stay connected. I am concerned that those who don’t feel equipped to deal with the contentiousness of the times will become isolated and depressed. Force yourself to stay connected and reach out to those who might have difficulty doing the same. Again, consult a professional if you feel you need help with your depression.
