We Could be Heroes...

It's no secret that, as the Chinese proverb says, we live in "interesting times".

Those of us who lived through the 60s as kids remember that we were told to practice ducking under our school desks and covering our heads to protect against nuclear fallout.

It was naive to think that hiding under our desks would keep us safe, and yet, doing it felt like we were empowered in some way to have control.

In the 70s we protested against a war that was killing thousands of our young beautiful men, and many of us were beaten and thrown into jail for standing up for our principles and beliefs. It is very rarely safe to be an instigator/hero.

As grown-ups, we witness chaos, war, and instability spreading worldwide rapidly, with no safe haven in sight. This reality is daunting, and we grapple with the daily stress of unpredictability.

Many of us dream of doing more, of being more of taking a stand against what is happening that threatens our economy, our families, our country's values, and our way of living, and yet, what is there to do? We are almost almost hypnotized into helplessness.

The average person cannot act in a grandiose way like the heroes who courageously splatter their way through the rise and fall of planets in the movies. This is not Marvel comics, and we are not Thor, we are not even Dr. Strange.

What we are, are people with responsibilities, vulnerabilities, with precarious lives that we cannot risk in pursuit of grand ideals and superhuman deeds.

And so, although we may dream of grand acts of courage, those dreams fade in the light of day for practicality's sake.

In reality, the energies of a space in time are not changed by grand acts. They are marked by them and isolated as examples of courage, and they are acts of courage. They are to be admired, no doubt.

The energy that drives the course of everyday history, humanity, and the planet is not sustained by mere acts of heroism. It is forged and sustained by individuals who recognize their beliefs and act upon them, generating momentum for progress.

It is an active rebellion at this point in time to have compassion for others, to reach across the divide, and to try to understand, even if we cannot agree. The courage that it takes to stand and act from your values and principles every day is what drives positive energy forward. it is a mindset that must be cultivated and tended until it grows naturally.

If it is an angry energy that is pushed forward by a group of people who feel marginalized and threatened, then we get chaos, tension, and fear. However, if it is a more elevated energy, one that upholds compassion for others and advocates for its beliefs on what is the highest and best outcome for everyone, it will also propel progress. That will determine who and what we are and what happens to us in the next 20 to 50 years.

Showing compassion for others, bridging divides, and striving to understand different perspectives, even in disagreement, is a form of active rebellion. Acting in alignment with our values and principles daily requires courage and propels positive energy.

To start, first recognize the sources of stress and tension in your life. While some may be beyond your control, there are many that you can manage. Mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing techniques are not just trendy terms; they are effective practices that can help you stay grounded and focused. By staying present in the moment, you take control of your own experiences, allowing you to identify triggers and choose not to let them dictate your actions.

We will inevitably make mistakes in our judgments and perceptions. However, if we consistently err on the side of kindness, if we opt to give more rather than less if we choose to be kinder, we can make a positive difference.

If we stand up every day in 1000 small ways to be the people that we want to be, that is what drives a positive energy forward.

And isn't that the definition of heroism? To make a positive difference? The difference every day that says "Today, I chose compassion, today I chose courage, and tomorrow and the next day, and the next day, I will choose the same".

For as long as you live, you'll never be one and done, you will be living your principles and showing others what that means. And that inspires others to live their principles as well. This is the act of true heroism every day that will have energy and movement long after we have passed from this place.

I think about these things a lot because my office is full of people who are stressed out and worried about the future and what it holds. In hypnosis, we teach the subconscious to stay in the moment, and that is the most powerful thing that you can do because it is in the moment that you have the clarity to create the future.

When you relieve your stress, when you change your mindset, this is what creates the ability to move forward in a positive way in the world.

Change your mind, change the world. It's never been more necessary than now, and I am here for you when you are ready to begin that journey through hypnosis to being the hero that I know you can be.