Grounded in Strength: Thriving in a Complex World

“Christ wasn’t a capitalist,” I’ve said more than once in recent weeks, often in response to conversations about holiday gift-giving. My signature therapy sass comes with facts: none of us are inherently owed gifts from others, no matter how miraculous we may metaphorically walk on water. However, we do owe it to ourselves to provide what we need, want, and desire. Self-love and self-care aren’t indulgences, but essential acts of empowerment. They allow others to supplement our joy without becoming the sole source of it. This distinction is a safeguard against disappointment, codependency, and resentment, fostering objectivity and healthier connections.

I was reminded of this while journaling on January 1. Writing the date and year, I was unexpectedly overwhelmed by dread, terror, and panic. In a dissociative state, I envisioned myself standing on a shoreline, clothed in natural fibers, watching small ships grow larger on the horizon. It felt like an ancestral premonition—a visceral mix of anxiety and confusion. Returning to the present, I realized I had unconsciously stored profound emotions associated with this year - 2025. In hindsight, those feelings stemmed from my awareness of certain policies designed to erode cultures, values, and customs. A modern human pox rooted in violent delusions of superiority. This emotional weight mirrored the chaos reported in the news that very day, such as senseless acts of violence fueled by fear and anxiety.

But here’s the thing: we can get ahead of the inevitable.

The mind is incredible. Repetition embeds memory, thoughts scaffold emotions, and somatic experiences like crying or trembling reveal and facilitate healing. As I processed these feelings in my journal, I arrived at a familiar conclusion: identify personal power and use it to navigate complex emotions and circumstances.

We’ve discussed personal power before, especially in moments when you feel powerless. Each of us wields influence in our physical presence, our financial choices, our words, and our actions. I urge you to recognize your impact on those around you. Be mindful of how your decisions—or indecisions—affect others. For instance, consider the journey of your food. There’s a high likelihood that it was planted, grown, and harvested by undocumented workers. When your favorite food becomes scarce or its price triples, know that this is the result of disrupted supply chains shaped by politics, racism, and poor planning. One way to reclaim power is by supporting local farmers at fruit stands or farmers’ markets. Such choices empower not only you, but also those most affected by the actions of disconnected billionaires.

As the divide between the haves and have-nots grows, many of us find ourselves among the latter. Yet, even within these constraints, we possess more than we realize. My role is to help you see your strengths, mitigate disappointment, and break free from resentment that could otherwise fester into rage with irreversible consequences.

So here’s my call to action: identify your strengths, empower yourself and your community, and choose to thrive—not merely survive. Together, let’s navigate this year with intention, resilience, and hope.