I’m sure you’re all familiar with the hive mind of bees, also known as the Hive Mind. Thinkers across eras and disciplines have studied this in humans as well. The idea that we don’t just carry our own life experiences, but also our collective experiences. And today, this common sense is almost palpable, and we are being described as “divisive,” “anxious,” and “cynical.”
So how should we live in this current world?
The good news is that you have already taken the first step by simply recognizing that there is a common consciousness influencing you. We cannot exist in a bubble. The world around us affects us. If you want to shake it off a little more, try meditating on and explaining or exploring where in your body you feel this anxiety. The more aware we are of it, the more power we have over it.
Do you want more freedom from it? Stop wishing it would go away. It’s here, it exists. Don’t daydream too much about simpler times or think too much about the future. The human life experience is full of ups and downs, and so are the shared experiences of humanity. As you know, downtime can make us feel depressed, but downtime can also bring us valuable gifts.
Another powerful tool is our own thoughts and words. Every time a sarcastic thought rolls around in our brains, it rolls around in our emotions and bodies as well. That’s adding to the anxiety! But every time we become aware of and stop cynical thoughts, we stop feeding the cynical hive mind that is influencing us.
Want ammo? I recently read Jamil Zaki’s book “Hope for Cynics,” which is a ton of ammunition for cynical thinking. It is full of research such as wallet loss experiments. If a wallet containing $100 in cash and a return address were dropped in different parts of your country, how many would you get back?The average person believes 30% will be returned. Real news? Returns 74% to 80%. And this has been replicated all over the world. People always underestimate each other’s goodness. Use that statistic the next time a “divisive,” “anxious,” or “cynical” thought pops into your head. That’s power over it!
And remember the amazing healing power of caring connection. Doing something nice or saying something nice to someone can be healing for both you and that person. If you do it in person and the person is part of your community, it’s even more powerful. If something you do or say makes that person feel like you trust or believe them, it’s even more healing for you.
Yes, these are crazy times for our collective hives. But there are ways to navigate within it. There are ways to find peace in anxiety without denying it or wishing it away. And you might end up with a better result.
Until next time,
Laura
