Mindfulness and thought work can help when we are faced with challenging and upsetting information and realities. Today we explore how they can help when we are faced with hard-to-fathom decisions, especially when those decisions impact us so personally.  Thought work can help us respond buoyantly and purposefully to disappointment, disbelief, anger, and even rage. And many are feeling rage, anger, and violation today. If you are feeling upset, despondent, desperate, or exhausted you are not alone. Whatever you are feeling is valid and your truth. Naming it, and feeling it helps us allow and accept this moment just as it is.   Thought work and mindful coaching does not make bad things and human violations ok. Thought work and coaching do not encourage radical acceptance or emotional bypassing. They help by increasing our buoyancy, helping us to take good care of ourselves so we can show up for what we believe - even, and especially when, our side feels like it is losing and not being heard They help by offering intentional self-compassion, and by helping us reclaim our own agency and making meaning of our struggles and challenges no matter what circumstances we live in. They help by showing us where we are making it harder on ourselves. A few tips shared in this episode Allow yourself space to feel all the powerful emotions. Step out of catastrophizing. Ask yourself useful questions rather than unhelpful ones. How can I soothe myself and center myself? How can I channel rage into something else? What will help us as a country attain healing & more unity? How do I want to show up for this? What “useful questions'' do you want to ask yourself? How can you use thought work to help you at this moment? Coaching can help tremendously in moments like this. Reach out to Jessie if you are struggling.  Let her help you figure out thoughts that will help you feel more buoyant and move forward with passion and purpose. If you want to find calm, contentment, and a clear and meaningful path forward in areas of your life beyond relationships, I invite you to explore private mindful coaching with Dr. Mahoney www.jessiemahoneymd.com If you want to develop a mindfulness practice, reach out to Dr. Liang www.awakenbreath.org *Nothing in this episode should be considered medical advice.