Robin Williams’ tragic death, and war and world events in the Middle East have sent people into a tail spin. My phone has been busy with clients seeking solace and advice for the situational depression they are feeling. Mr. Williams’ death has seemingly been the straw that broke the camel’s back for some. Some are afraid that USA will experience an invasion and are worried, anxious, and ill-at-ease. What to do? How to cope?

Evil hates beauty, and lightness, and generosity. Fear, anger, and hate feeds evil. One only has to allow themselves to watch all the violence on television, listen to others’ negative viewpoints or emotions, or read all the darkness present in the world in a newspaper to spiral downward in emotion and have doubt, fear, and depression take over.

The world needs strength, joy, lightness, generosity, kindness, gentleness, and most of all, love shared, acknowledged, and amplified through gratitude. Love shared is contagious and will defeat the evil energies created through negative emotion. Setting boundaries about what and who comes into your environment is especially important during times like the one we’re living.

I encourage you to not watch the news, not read the newspapers, and to be especially kind but firm to folks who want to pull you into their complaining, fear, hate, or judgementalism. Find a gentle way to move away and return to love and gratitude. I have found that someone will tell you what is in the news anyway, so you won’t miss out! And there is certainly a wisdom in being in the know regarding what is happening in our world, but we don’t have to be ruled by the emotions generated by others regarding those events.

What will help? Keep a gratitude journal. First thing in the morning, list 3 things you’re grateful for. All during the day remind yourself of what you’re grateful for. Then at night, write or list 3 things you’re grateful for that occurred during the day PLUS one thing that went well for you during the day. Yes, don’t see the journaling completed until you have added the one thing that went well for you during the day even if it is to say “well, I like the way I put my feet on the floor this morning when I got out of bed”.

Over time this will help create a container of positive emotion that will have a place of permanence in your interior. This exercise will go a long way to combat negative emotions as well.

Lastly, many empirical studies on prayer (google search will give you many) reveal prayer does have an impact upon that which is prayed for. Can you think of another time in your life time where prayer seemed desperately needed more? Prayer, for me is a delight in knowing that I’m “messin’ with the devil”. “I’m out to break the devil’s things”, as an acquaintance once said. I’m IN with that! Are you?

Play to your strengths of love, kindness, gratitude, gentleness, and optimism. Say no to playing to your weaknesses of doubt, fear, hate, jealousy, retaliation.

Now, I’d love to know what you think. Leave a comment below. Feel free to let me know if there is a subject you would like me to write about.

Smile, and keep your chin up!