Thank you for the perspective and thank you for the meditation on re-minding my mind. I have been doomscrolling and feeling the anger rise: now I can address the panic with strategy.
That’s the kind of discipline that quietly changes the air in a room, Tom. One genuine compliment disarms cynicism faster than a hundred arguments. Keep doing that...it’s the kind of small daily act that rebuilds the culture from the inside out.
It’s really easy to do sincerely if you have the right, caring joyful mindset. Three words : Just Be Kind. Or five words : just be fucking kind dammit!
Thank you for that calm explanation. I could not help but recognize the similarities between your approach to staying grounded and a practice taught by Zen teacher Tara Brach, that she calls R.A.I.N., which is actually a practice of what radical compassion, including oneself.
R - Recognize what is happening.
A - Allow the experience to be there just as it is.
I - Investigate with interest and care.
N - Nurture with self-compassion.
Tara Brach believes in awakening a fearless heart, just as you do, but not letting emotion hijack the limbic system.
That’s beautifully said, Ytram...and yes...Tara Brach’s R.A.I.N. method is exactly the kind of inner framework democracy needs more of right now. Recognize. Allow. Investigate. Nurture. It’s emotional intelligence as civic armor. A fearless heart is what steadies a free people when the noise gets loud!
Excellent article Jack. The mind is a powerful thing. It’s important that we take care of our mental health. This is especially important during chaotic times. Your breathing techniques have helped to center me. Thank you.
I’m really glad to hear that, Lori...and you’re absolutely right. The mind can be either a battlefield or a command center...depending on how we train it. Every breath you take on purpose is a small act of reclaiming control in a world that profits from chaos. Keep that centered space...it’s your real power base.
I’m so glad it hit home, Elizabeth...and thank you for saying that. Sanity isn’t luck...it’s training. Every time we choose calm over chaos...we tighten the bolts that hold this whole thing together. Appreciate you being part of that.
I appreciate your calm wisdom! I am training myself to breathe first, react second. Love the fact you’re also from KC, even though it’s MO and not KS 🥰❤️
That makes sense, Cherae...you’d spot the rhythm right away! Hypnotherapy and communication share the same heartbeat: cadence, intent, and timing. You already know…the right rhythm doesn’t just calm a mind...it opens it. Grateful you caught that.
That’s the balance we all have to strike, Ronda...eyes open...heart steady...voice intact. The goal isn’t to escape the sickness; it’s to stay well enough inside it to keep speaking truth. You’re doing exactly what democracy asks of us!
That’s exactly what I hoped it would do, Wayne. A few steady breaths can reset more than hours of worry ever could. Keep using that pause...it’s a small act of rebellion against the chaos. Glad it helped.
Donald Trump is a bit player in a global cartel. When the conspiracy theorists talked about the Deep State they had a point and that includes the involvement of pedophiles. I would very much like to see Jack Hopkins, Dean Blundell, Scott Dworkin, Zev Shalev and, yes, Rogin put their heads together and connect the dots by following the money and make a group announcement on the state of play so the rest of the world can focus on priorities and have a chance instead if nibbling around the edges with alarming headlines.
Thank you for the perspective and thank you for the meditation on re-minding my mind. I have been doomscrolling and feeling the anger rise: now I can address the panic with strategy.
Love this...and I’m proud of you for catching it in the moment. Doomscrolling is a nervous system tax; strategy is a refund.
Here’s your 60-second reset I use myself:
Pause. 4 deep breaths: in 4, hold 4, out 6.
Name it. “This is panic, not prophecy.”
Reframe. “What can I verify? What can I do today?”
Act small. One call, one note, one share to someone who needs steadiness.
Exit clean. Close the app; open your day.
Remember: composure isn’t passive...it’s power under control. You just shifted from being pulled by the feed to pulling your focus back.
That’s the muscle we’re building here.
If it helps...print the quick checklist from today’s piece and keep it by your screen. When the anger spikes...you’ve got a handle to grab.
And if you need a 2-minute “calm cue” audio, say the word...I’ll record one for paid readers. You’re doing the work. Stay steady; we move forward!
I try to start each day looking for a person to compliment. It helps ground me and rise above hate.
That’s the kind of discipline that quietly changes the air in a room, Tom. One genuine compliment disarms cynicism faster than a hundred arguments. Keep doing that...it’s the kind of small daily act that rebuilds the culture from the inside out.
-Jack
It’s really easy to do sincerely if you have the right, caring joyful mindset. Three words : Just Be Kind. Or five words : just be fucking kind dammit!
But to be honest , the deep antipathy towards anything trump is never far from the surface.
Thank you for that calm explanation. I could not help but recognize the similarities between your approach to staying grounded and a practice taught by Zen teacher Tara Brach, that she calls R.A.I.N., which is actually a practice of what radical compassion, including oneself.
R - Recognize what is happening.
A - Allow the experience to be there just as it is.
I - Investigate with interest and care.
N - Nurture with self-compassion.
Tara Brach believes in awakening a fearless heart, just as you do, but not letting emotion hijack the limbic system.
That’s beautifully said, Ytram...and yes...Tara Brach’s R.A.I.N. method is exactly the kind of inner framework democracy needs more of right now. Recognize. Allow. Investigate. Nurture. It’s emotional intelligence as civic armor. A fearless heart is what steadies a free people when the noise gets loud!
-Jack
Excellent article Jack. The mind is a powerful thing. It’s important that we take care of our mental health. This is especially important during chaotic times. Your breathing techniques have helped to center me. Thank you.
I’m really glad to hear that, Lori...and you’re absolutely right. The mind can be either a battlefield or a command center...depending on how we train it. Every breath you take on purpose is a small act of reclaiming control in a world that profits from chaos. Keep that centered space...it’s your real power base.
-Jack
Wow, Jack, this is so spot on! Thank you for writing such a great manual for sanity which I appreciate so much! 🥰
I’m so glad it hit home, Elizabeth...and thank you for saying that. Sanity isn’t luck...it’s training. Every time we choose calm over chaos...we tighten the bolts that hold this whole thing together. Appreciate you being part of that.
-Jack
I appreciate your calm wisdom! I am training myself to breathe first, react second. Love the fact you’re also from KC, even though it’s MO and not KS 🥰❤️
I used to practice hypnotherapy a bit. Not full time, but on request. Bull rider was my most fun one.
The rhythm of your words. . . I notice.
That makes sense, Cherae...you’d spot the rhythm right away! Hypnotherapy and communication share the same heartbeat: cadence, intent, and timing. You already know…the right rhythm doesn’t just calm a mind...it opens it. Grateful you caught that.
-Jack
That makes me happy, Amigo!
Thank you, Jack, for these timely reminders. So much of what’s happening is so sickening to witness, but I’ll neither turn away nor keep quiet.
That’s the balance we all have to strike, Ronda...eyes open...heart steady...voice intact. The goal isn’t to escape the sickness; it’s to stay well enough inside it to keep speaking truth. You’re doing exactly what democracy asks of us!
-Jack
That article, and a few deep breaths really helped. Thanks
That’s exactly what I hoped it would do, Wayne. A few steady breaths can reset more than hours of worry ever could. Keep using that pause...it’s a small act of rebellion against the chaos. Glad it helped.
-Jack
Thank you, Jack.
Frannie...you...are welcome. Thank YOU.
-Jack
Thanks, I needed this today!
I love hearing that, Robyn! Happy I could help.
-Jack
Thanks Jack for this positive post!
Keith, you are very welcome. Truly.
-Jack
Donald Trump is a bit player in a global cartel. When the conspiracy theorists talked about the Deep State they had a point and that includes the involvement of pedophiles. I would very much like to see Jack Hopkins, Dean Blundell, Scott Dworkin, Zev Shalev and, yes, Rogin put their heads together and connect the dots by following the money and make a group announcement on the state of play so the rest of the world can focus on priorities and have a chance instead if nibbling around the edges with alarming headlines.