Hello my darlings!

Do you pay much attention to politics or the news? Do you ever find yourself shaking your head when you read about current events? I have to confess that there was a time when the news used to enrage, irritate and upset my peaceful soul. 

It’s dispiriting to notice the number of articles picking at the scabs of the so-called culture wars. You know, that insidious ever-growing divide in society with the rise of the blame and redaction culture. 

Have you noticed how the tabloids feast on the blood and puss of this toxic and polarizing narrative? (the very same perspective they deliberately propagate nonetheless). 

Think about the Colosseum and how Gladiators were encouraged to spill their opponents’ blood and guts across the arena’s sand. Did you know that the “Theatre of Death” was a gift from the emperor to the people of Rome?

Why? Because the emperor exploited the depravity of the human condition. He understood that these Hunger Games would be a source of entertainment to the people, and more importantly, a way to gain their subservience and loyalty. 

There was no Netflix, Kaiser Zuckerberg or puppet master Murdoch back then—so I guess people needed something to pass the time. 

I’m sure the emperor of Rome also understood the importance of storytelling and creating a narrative. And I’m even more convinced that modern-day news is trying to elicit the same kind of response; it wants you to pick a side (left or right). 

It wants you to fight the opposition. You don’t even need to face your enemy with a spear or sword anymore. All you need is to leave cutting words across online platforms to inflate your self-righteous ego by attacking a faceless enemy. 

Please note that I mean no disrespect here. Your ego is not your friend! It wants to be right. And when your ego raises its head, it will stop at nothing to puff-up its feathers and sashay proudly like a peacock. Your ego is mostly a pompous, overbearing beast. And unlike the male peacock, it’s not on display to attract friends or look pretty. (it’s there to win at all cost)

I hate fighting or bullying of any kind—online bullying is especially abhorrent. But at least in the past when there was a battle to be fought, there was some semblance of honour in looking your adversary in the eye.

Naturally, the news is more subtle than sending slaves to be slaughtered. Still, the propaganda machine keeps you entertained and distracted with food (stories that make you enraged) and entertainment (stories that amount to gossip) so you can take out your social and political frustrations on social media (and all the while feel bad about yourself). Why do you think there’s a comment section?

And it all serves to keep you divided from those whose only crime is to look at the world through a different lens. And the divide keeps growing. 

I don’t have a place on either side. Just like millions of like-hearted gentle souls, you can find us hiding in the forest or inside a yoga studio, LOL. Peaceful warriors want harmony, unity and a world that celebrates diversity. 

We can’t change the world overnight, but we can learn to control how we respond to events and situations outside of our control. We can also learn to look ourselves in the eye in the mirror to calm down our internal battles too.

Finding peace in a chaotic world is basically an inside job.

I know this because it took me a long time to recover from a complete burnout. And a lot of therapy, tears, listening to motivational speakers, and visits to spiritual retreats all across the globe. But I look at the world with a very different lens these days (and I don’t allow the news to suck me into its insidious narrative or intended direction).

Would you like to save a fortune and learn my biggest takeaways from eight years of trial and error in two minutes?

Do the following for 30 days and observe how you feel: 

Learn to laugh for no reason

Stop reading the news.

Find what feels good.

Tame your ego.

Change the world from the inside by focusing on the things you can control.

Listen to Mr Rogers! He believes that “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t learn to love once you’ve heard their story.” So start listening! 

Find things that resonate with your personality and values and focus on them.

However, the most important takeaway was learning the definition of the word “Namaste“. You know, that funny word you hear used by peace seekers all over the world. 

It means “the divine in me sees the divine in you.” And when you examine its meaning further, it boils down to the following “I see and accept you—without judgement.”

Now, I can see some of you rolling your eyes and snorting in derision at this concept but think about it for a second… 

If humanity could put away their mobile phone swords and start focusing on what binds us for 30 days, the world would be a very different place. 

Add the word “Namaste” to your vocabulary today. You don’t need to say it out loud if it makes you uncomfortable. Just say it silently to yourself each time you pass someone on the street and make this a daily habit for 30 days.

Alternatively, say the phrase “peace be with you.” I’m pretty certain that the result will be the same.

Thank you for reading. And love, peace be with you, laughter and Namaste. 

Small disclaimer: we probably can’t change the whole world in 30 days. But by trying this practice, you will cultivate a whole new perspective and feel calmer, more grounded and less bothered by the things you read in the news. Therefore, it’s a life changer as your inner world will be much improved (and like magic, the world becomes a much more beautiful place).