Fueling Hope in the Midst of Dark Times

Dear friends,

I know many of us are deeply affected by the barrage of oppression, bloodshed, and trauma that continues to be inflicted upon human beings by other human beings around the world.

I know at times, certain conflicts and crises may even seem hopeless as there appears to be no conscience, accountability, compassion, or end in sight.

This may even lead us to feel that our day-to-day efforts to move the needle and make a difference in the world are insignificant and inconsequential.

But we cannot give our power away to the dark forces that feed off of inciting fear, hatred, and otherization of fellow human beings.

We cannot let our energy, hope, and light be drained and beaten out of us.

So it is essential to remember the fundamental reality that we only have a certain amount of mental, physical, and emotional energy at our disposal.

Once our energy is depleted, it creates an opening for hopelessness to creep in. It is in these moments that getting back up and taking even the smallest steps to recharge our energy may feel incredibly daunting and impossible, further reinforcing any kind of hopelessness that might have emerged.

We all know that if we don’t charge our phone to the point that it powers off, it becomes completely useless and requires extra time to recharge once it is plugged in. The same is true for us.

Fueling hope requires fueling ourselves.

As much as we care about the state of the world, and because we care about the state of the world and showing up for others, we need to make sure that we do not teeter near empty in our own fuel tanks.

We need to be aware of all the distractions that are built into our lifestyles and systems that seek to pull us away from our light and drain our energy and hope.

We need to be incredibly protective our energy and take steps each day to recharge, even if all we can manage is a few moments of silence and prayer, remembering with our “why”, a couple of deep breaths, drinking some water to hydrate, reaching out to someone who is a safe space, or taking breaks from our devices and social media.

And if you believe that it is selfish to even think of taking care of your energy while so many are suffering, remember that your suffering does not reduce their suffering.

However, maintaining your energy levels and keeping your hope alive is an act of resistance that can create the space and opportunity for you to shine your light, take aligned action, and make positive changes happen.

So please take care of your energy and protect it at all times, now more than ever.

We are on the cusp of major global changes and transformations that will require your hope for a better future to be more steadfast than ever.

So may you remember to fuel yourself every single day,

May you continue to share your hope with all who experience you,

And may together, we birth a world where everyone is free to thrive.

Sending love, light, and gratitude,

Maliheh