BE AN ENERGY GATEKEEPER

Commit to fight your own fear and anger. Commit to consciously replace fear with trust. Despair with hope. Darkness with light. Anger with action.

You alone decide what kind of energy enters your life. You decide what kind of energy, images, and emotions you allow harbor in your mind. You can control your thoughts and the direction of your energy.

For me, that means I turn off the news. When I watch the coverage of this tragedy, I inevitably get sucked in--as though the next guest, the next commentator, the next expert, is going to provide an answer that is finally going to explain the why so that it makes sense. But more words only introduce more grief and anxiety.

I read an article recently that explained how many young children don’t understand the repeated images they see on TV. When kids watch the same plane penetrate the same building, over and over again, they may think that many, many buildings are falling to the ground and that many, many planes are on a course of destruction.

When I watch repeated clips of the events, I don’t think my mind understands it either. Television is so visceral. If it has that kind of power over you, turn it off and rely instead on the newspaper or an online news source. Doing so may help you to dismiss the rumors and rely on the facts, which may diminish a tendency to catastrophize, too.

Choose carefully the words you use when you talk to Yourself about the tragedy and the events that are to come. Consciously replace the negative thoughts and words with something more positive.

Sometimes it helps to repeat a simple mantra: "peace," "love," "trust," "calm." To recite a comforting quote, a favorite hymn, or a verse from scripture. If you have young children, replace the lyrics of their familiar songs with comforting words. Sing Psalm 56:3 ("When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You,"), for example, to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell." Dr. Peggy Jenkins has compiled some wonderful ideas for using music in such a way in The Joyful Child: A Sourcebook of Activities and Ideas for Releasing Children's Natural Joy.

SHARE YOUR ENERGY

The events of September 11th have called attention to the extraordinary interconnectedness we all share. Today, use this interconnectedness to heal.

Close your eyes and visualize the brightest light you can imagine--the force of love--enveloping the disaster scenes, the tired rescue/recovery workers, the victims and their family and friends. Visualize it enveloping the moms and dads, grandmothers, and grandfathers and All the kids who are frightened today. Visualize it enveloping the White House, the military bases, the friends and families of people who go forward to fight for our cause. Visualize it enveloping the frightened women in war-ravaged Afghanistan and the victims of terrorism throughout this world.

Bathe them all in this concentrated light and love and pray that some of that peace finds its way into their hearts.

PRACTICE SMALL KINDNESSES

Through it all, take good care of your children and yourself, just as you did before September 11th. Practice small kindnesses. Offer a simple smile and compassionate words. John Watson said, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle." This is certainly true today.

Make it your personal mission to spread the peace and love in your own heart to everyone you meet today.

Help someone through this difficult time. Contact a member of the military and their family and lend your support and prayers. Find an online support community-- one that is intimate and accepting (and if it’s not, help to make it so). Organize a childcare co-op with other moms so you can be by yourself, if you need to, to cry, to pray, to journal, to think.

Call your family and friends to see how they are coping with the events. If they need your shoulder, strive to listen without judgment and do your best to spread peace and hope into their hearts. If they begin to catastrophize, steer the conversation back to one of comfort.

Today, the world remains draped in negativity. Make it your goal and your role to replace it with as much positive energy as possible.

If you sink back into the cycle of negative energy, gently remind yourself to return. And take it one step at a time. You need not look past this very moment. Ask yourself: Are you coming from an intention of love and peace right now? Give peace to someone, love to someone, right now.

Positive energy is cyclical. And it is what the world needs right now.

Let it begin with us.

Copyright (c) 2001 Susie Michelle Cortright

About the author : Susie Michelle Cortright is the founder and publisher of Momscape.com, a website devoted to helping moms enjoy motherhood. She is also the author of More Energy Now! How to Beat Mommy Burnout and Live with Vitality, Passion, and Joy. Click here to learn how you can boost your energy in the next five minutes: http://www.momscape.com/energy.htm