It has been 7 months since President Trump took office and the world has been through a roller coaster of emotions. During his short tenure Trump has managed to ban transgender members from serving in the military, put an expiration date on DACA, and blame both the Neo-Nazis and the peaceful protesters for the tragic events that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The nation has been hit with natural catastrophes too. From Hurricane Harvey to Irma, people are being displaced and there is a general sense of confusion, uncertainty and chaos.

All of this taken together can be too much at times. It is impossible for one part of life to not bleed over into the next.

Moving forward, I will be widening the topics shared on this platform to include my thoughts on current events in order to bridge experiences and happenings that are shaping my perception. Each part of life effects the other and so bringing things into context and having an all-encompassing, holistic approach will go a long way.

But before that, I want to start with a prayer. An intention, really. An intention to be grateful in every circumstance that this unruly time brings and a sacred respect for what each moment has to teach me. An intention to rise above individual circumstance and stay grounded, compassionate, and malleable during this time of turmoil. An intention to observe life’s ups and downs without being completely engulfed by them – to live like a traveler.

I recently read The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer and it blew my mind wide open. The book centers around the idea that we are more than our thoughts, feelings, and stations in life. When all of our identifying traits are removed, we realize that deep inside us there is an awareness that just is. It is that awareness that witnesses our experiences and regardless of what is experienced, remains unchanged, neutral, and present.

Here’s hoping that our awareness guides us to calmer waters during these times and enrich our lives in the most meaningful way. I’m leaving you with a quote from the book that resonated deeply with me:

“As you pull back into consciousness, this world ceases to be a problem. It’s just something you’re watching. It keeps changing, but there is no sense of that being a problem. The more you are willing to just let the world be something you’re aware of, the more it will let you be who you are – the awareness, the Self, the Atman, the Soul.”