The House Catches Fire. What Do You Do? ∴ WholeSpirit

The House Catches Fire. What Do You Do?

Sit down, close your eyes, and notice your feelings about the house fire.
Lie down, feel what sensations arise in your body while the house is on fire.
You’re not into house fires, so ignore it.
Don’t talk about the house fire! You might upset customers/friends/family/etc. who set the fire or are enjoying the fire.
Relax, stay in the house. It may be a little hotter and smokier, but someone else will put it out. You’re not a firefighter, so you’re not going to worry about it. What can you do about it anyway?
Help put out the fire.

Friends, of course, the answer here is 6. Grab a fire extinguisher or a hose. Call the fire department. Tell your neighbors. Get that sucker out.

In some situations, reactions 1-5 might be reasonable; not in a house fire. You probably know I’m talking about more than literal house fires.

Many Fires

The president recently told his supporters to “cheat like hell” to win the midterm elections. The Speaker of the House said he “will not allow” the Democrats to take the majority in Congress. That’s not how our government is supposed to work. If, like me, you are an American who cares about America, this is a house fire situation. To make matters more complicated, many different kinds of fires are burning, and more are being set.

Many Firefighters

Many people are working hard to put them out. We are not doomed, but the situation is urgent whether or not we are “interested” in politics, whether or not we like to stay above the fray of the machinations of government, whether or not we prefer to focus on other things.

I definitely prefer to focus on other things. I’d love to focus more on the incredible beauty and variety of moths, for example. I prefer to focus on my family and friends, or on how a client experienced almost exactly the same exquisite transformative environment and buoyant release that I saw for her in a healing session, or on my visions for sanctuary land, or on what inspires you.

The metaphorical house fire is appalling and unnecessary, but it is a fact that needs to be addressed.

What Can We Do?

The house catches fire. What do you do? We each have different ways we can help. Some folks have time, some have money, some have words, some have quiet influence, some have the actual power to legislate or render court decisions to stop a runaway train of unchecked power and corruption (come on, people). We all have the power to vote and to encourage others to vote. At least for now.

Chronic vs. Acute

Sometimes there is a clear order of operations (hey math people), and sometimes we do things in parallel. My house on fire example is simpler than the emergency situation in our country. If the house is on fire, your primary goals are getting living beings out and firefighters in. Mostly everything other than safety measures and firefighting needs to wait.

Our bigger situation has been smoldering for a long time. Many people are responsible for laying the kindling and adding fuel and accelerant. The blaze is roaring now. There is urgency, but the crisis has lasted, and likely will last, long enough that we also need to do other things while trying to put out the fire. We can’t put out fires of this magnitude alone or even with a small group. We simultaneously need to manage our daily affairs, take care of ourselves and our families, make a living, try to have a good life that includes joy, gratitude, and optimism. Long-term crises are hard on our systems. They wear us down.

Handling Paradox

It is reasonable to make space to process our feelings. I am one of many people who offer that kind of space.

It is reasonable to pay attention to how this crisis is affecting our bodies and to try and care for ourselves and our loved ones with compassion.

It is reasonable to choose not to talk about the situation with certain people or in certain settings. Or to opt out of some things altogether.

It is reasonable to feel shame or regret for believing in someone or something that turns out to be rotten, or at least not what we thought. Most of us have been lied to or disappointed by a politician, institution, religious figure, mentor, family member, or friend. Everyone can make a mistake or have a change of heart.

Denial, bypassing, and avoidance are not reasonable strategies, though. We are facing an existential crisis on many levels. We need honesty, hope, and decisive action to have a chance of getting ourselves out of it.

It’s paradoxical to live life while the house is on fire. It activates something primal and survival-focused in many of us. It doesn’t feel sustainable. Holding the paradox is hard.

Our Interconnection

Let’s do what we can, remember that everything is intertwined and interrelated, and small actions can make a big difference. I never feel like I’m doing “enough.” I know in absolute terms I could be doing more. However, especially as someone who has studied, written, and taught about burnout prevention, I know I must find a way to hold that paradox while also letting myself live as fully as possible. To acknowledge the house being on fire while savoring, loving, and appreciating this time and the beings I share it with.

I hope you can do the same.