Who needs a hug?

I feel utterly bombarded. How about you? 

I can't look on Twitter or Facebook, in the news, or on TV without seeing hate and feeling lost, sad, angry, overwhelmed. Last night I asked my private community what they needed in order to feel more ready to face another Monday morning and the overwhelming response was HUGS. 

Of course. That's what is needed. Warmth wrapped around you, holding you, reminding you you're going to be alright, that we have each other.  

I'm sending you a giant hug right now. Close your eyes, take a breath and take in the love coming to you. 

I believe there is as much LOVE in the world as hate, we just need to turn our attention there. We need to see the love around us. The people who are generously giving their time, money, energy, ideas in service of others, and the people who show simple human kindness as you go about a normal day.

You don't have to quit your job, or become complacent with politics, in order to give and receive LOVE. It's here always. 

Hugs, after all, are little acts, a thank-you, holding open a door, sharing a smile with a stranger. See those moments in your life and make more happen. Buy someone coffee and hug a loved one tighter than you did the last time you met.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. There's also something easy to do about it. 

This HUG is for you. It's from Jeanie who, with her husband Gene, runs a soup kitchen in Virginia and gives some of the best hugs I've ever received. They hug anyone who walks through the door on Friday mornings. I can still feel this one, and had to share. 

I hope you can feel it, too. xoxo

Let's figure out 2017 together

What a year, and it's only begun. Anger, mistrust, grief, overwhelm.   

It makes me want to hide under the covers. Okay, that's where I am while writing this. Some days hiding can prove productive in my world.

No matter what is happening around us, as I said the other day, we still get to choose how we talk about it, how we feel about it, and what we do about it. Millions of people chose to march last weekend, and others are choosing to call their senators or run for office themselves.

What about you? More than politics, what are you choosing for your day-to-day life?

It's the beginning of the year after all. A time we're all trained to set intentions, start new commitments. Now it seems we have to do both -- hold a larger view of our society and focus on all the personal and professional stuff we normally would. 

Luckily we have each other.  

Let's figure it out together. I'm leading in-person workshops in Washington, DC and Brooklyn about how to set those constructive year-long goals amidst a changing and disconcerting political, societal and emotional landscape.

Join me online for elements of those workshops. For free.   

We'll discuss what makes you excited and worried about this year, and what you want to do about it. This is not about what anyone else is doing, but What's Right for You. I'll share questions and activities from those in-person events to get you started, and you'll leave feeling more confident about your choices.

Join me next Tuesday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern for a 45-minute online chat and Q&A. Bring friends and loved ones who matter most to you. Everyone is welcome. (Recording available after for those signed-up.)

I look forward to navigating these changing times together, and to finding the most positive, motivating steps to take in 2017 that work best for you.  

Speak to you on Tuesday!