🕊️ Thought-Taming Thursday: Reflections, Remembrance, Reactivity
As a leader with a mixed bag of experience, I’ve safely steered teams - from youth groups to corporate to senior adults - out of disagreement and conflict on many levels. Some days - such as the anniversary of 9/11, or when headlines bring news of violence in Gaza and elsewhere worldwide - remind us how much hurt the world can hold. As one who lived in NYC that day, and in the unsettling days thereafter, I’ve felt the shockwaves of horror and the unexcusable hatred directed toward certain skin tones. These trying times can stir deep feelings within us, and within the communities we lead. 💡 Fear and grief can ripple and sway group thinking… sometimes even spiraling into anger or blame, stirring division. As leaders, we set the tone. The way we model response or reflection becomes the way our communities learn to process. Practical strategies for compassionate leadership: ✨ Acknowledge pain and grief openly: silence can fuel fear ✨ Hold space with compassion: invite reflection, not reaction ✨ Redirect energy into shared values: peace, respect, resilience ✨ Model practices that calm the body and mind: a breath break, a grounding ritual, a pause before posting One simple practice is Box Breathing… always a wonderful reset for leaders and members alike: - Inhale 4 - Hold 4 - Exhale 4 - Hold 4 Repeat 4 rounds. ❓🗨️ When you or your community face grief, trauma, or heated news, what practices or boundaries will you use to help keep the space compassionate and safe? 🌟 If you’re an elite leader who wants to grow a resilient community - one grounded in compassion, connection, and calm even during turbulent times - come join us inside WISE Skoolers We share strategies, grow together, and build communities that thrive without burnout. 🤓