Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
― Viktor E. Frankl
It’s been a difficult season politically and globally. More and more, we are faced with some deeply devastating trends in the world. In America and elsewhere, we see practices of institutional prejudice reinforced (as the final battle cry of dying sociopolitical systems), epidemics of loneliness, despair, and mental illness across multiple populations (most notably among adolescents and youth), and instability in foundational structures of our society (e.g., healthcare, scientific research, and education).
This is the time that has been described by many great thinkers by many formidable names: The Anthropocene, The Great Turning (Joanna Macy), and in ancient Vedic texts as The Kali Yuga. As luring as it is to wax intellectual about this time, the real (inescapable) work is simply to live through it.
We are not the first to endure this challenge. We can look to many examples of profound living in times of crisis in order to understand how the act of reclaiming our vitality is nothing short of revolutionary (see some examples below). One of the examples I find most energizing is the metaphor of the imaginal cells found in insects such as caterpillars. Imaginal cells are what biologists refer to as the genetic blueprint for transformation that exist in the larval stage (e.g., caterpillar) and become activated in the pupal stage (e.g., chrysalis). Like the caterpillar, we find ourselves in the gooey mess of transformation, where all of the previous structures most familiar to us are being deconstructed beyond recognition. What is required of us is this visionary skill of imagining the transformation ahead.
What iteration of the human species could possibly rise from these turning tides? I believe that we must insist on radical hope, and even joy, amidst the suffering. As an Iranian-American, I have witnessed the people of my homeland hold fast to their humanity in the face of fascism, by way of underground parties, demonstrations of art, poetry, dance, and song. In times when we are brought to utter terror by systems of oppression, we have the power to gather, to uplift, to insist on vitality over fear.
How can we nurture hope, joy, and imagination in a world teeming with apocalyptic narratives and despair?
1) Retract into the cocoon as needed. The world is full of “content” and noise, so much to distract us from authentically showing up in our lives. The very biological rhythms of our attention and sleep/wake cycle have been disrupted by technology. All of us will encounter many occasions that require us to retract from this hyperconnected world, and create the silence required for insight and inspiration to emerge.
2) Stay close to the people who feed your joy. Community is a vital resource in these times. When faced with loss, gathering together with others is a way to activate resilience. Simply gathering with a dear friend can be so life-changing. But you can also multiply this experience in larger groups. Research finds that acts of resonance, such as moving or singing together help us to attune to others and feel profoundly energized. Ever felt the “high” of being at your favorite concert or dance class? That’s what sociologist Émile Durkheim called “collective effervescence,” a heightened emotional state and sense of unity that happens with shared experiences or rituals.
3) Read books, not just memes. Let your brain flex the muscle of imagination by immersing yourself in more complex worlds imagined by others.
4) Breathe and be in your body. Notice the moments in your day when you feel disconnected from yourself or dysregulated in some way. How can you come back? Maybe a moment of eye contact in the mirror, a hand on your belly or heart, a loud sigh…
5) Collect moments of awe. Research on awe finds that this emotional state protects our cells from the deleterious effects of stress and provides life-giving replenishment. Get outside, look upon something much smaller or much bigger than yourself. Connect to music. Make the search for beauty your objective for a day.
I write this post for myself, as much as for you. We all need reminders to stay connected and inspired and not allow our consciousness to be seized by terror. In truth, every threshold presents possibility. May we empower each other to step into this moment with courage and hope.
On Humanity - Chris Abani
Women, Life, Freedom in Iran - Sara Seyed
Women, Wartime and the Dream of Peace - Zainab Salbi
How to Imagine a Better Future for Democracy – Baratunde Thurston and adrienne maree brown
The History of African American Social Dance: