By Gina Cherelus — 2020
Amid protests against police brutality and structural racism toward black Americans, some lean into the joy of tradition as resistance.
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CLEAR ALL
If you want more joy, get as intimate as possible with all of your emotions, illuminating and honoring the basic energy of each one. There is a kind of joy that sooner or later emerges from such exploration, the joy of simply being present at the heart of whatever we are feeling.
If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, don’t cut yourself off from other people, says Kelly McGonigal. Instead, double down on your capacity for connection.
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Before his assassination on Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm X was one of the most outspoken black nationalist leaders. He articulated the anger, struggle, and hopes of blacks in the 1960s.
When people hear that I teach an online course called Awakening Joy, they sometimes respond with skepticism; the idea of letting themselves actually feel joy in times like these seems a bit frivolous and self-indulgent.
Our mindfulness practice is not about vanquishing our thoughts. It’s about becoming aware of the process of thinking so that we are not in a trance—lost inside our thoughts.
During the global pandemic and racialized unrest, we all need pathways to calm, clarity and openheartedness. While it’s natural to feel fear during times of great collective crises, our challenge is that fear easily takes over our lives.
Dr. Richard Davidson explains that well-being is a skill that can be practiced and strengthened.
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