9. It's Just Too Much

     Lately, I’ve been in conversations and in circulos with people who have expressed that it’s just too much, when speaking about life and their present circumstances. In a recent circulo, someone shared that they felt like they were in a dike, holding their finger to a hole to prevent it from leaking. And just when they stopped one leak, two others opened. It’s just too much. We’ve also heard the saying, “when it rains, it pours,” pointing to times when everything seems to be going in one direction. We’ve all been there, and it can be overwhelming.
     I too have been there and when times like this occur, it can impact us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I remember one particularly tough time in my life when I was struggling. As I was in deep reflection, I saw my grandmothers and tías sitting in a circle, with their arms folded, looking down. With disappointed looks, they were saying, “We’re right here and we can help. But if you want to do it on your own, go ahead, go ahead.” Thinking of that image, I began laughing, and it broke the spell of hopelessness. And... they were right. 
     We live in world of fear, where society and its systems use fear as tool of manipulation. We are also told by society that we, individually, are responsible for fixing it. But let us not forget that our ancestors and cultures have left us many values, traditions and spiritual practices that can support us along the way. For that reason, it is important for us to have ways of being and practices to ground us, especially when things become “just too much.” Below are four of my main practices.

1. My abuelita showed us her practice of beginning the day in prayer and in gratitude because how we begin our day can determine the attitude we carry through our life. Of course, that included the use of candles, herbs, and prayers that you could incorporate based on your spiritual practice.
   
   
2. My mother would say, “Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres”. This translates to, “Tell me who you surround yourself with and I’ll tell you who you are.” Choosing who you surround yourself with is important because those people can either help ease the burden or add to the load, especially when they are asking you to carry their load too. We all have people in our lives that we need to implement boundaries with.
   
   
3. Stay connected to the natural elements. Being in nature, touching the ground, breathing intentionally, feeling the sun, and drinking and cleansing with water are all important for taking care of oneself, and preparing us for those tough times.
   
   
4. Seek counsel and support. Who is your elder? Who is your teacher? We all need people that can offer guidance. And within this practice, we are reminded that there is a difference between learning from life’s challenges and carrying them. When we are too burdened to pray for ourselves, we need others to do it for us.
   
   

     Finally, in the way of our ancestors, we were taught that at the end of every day, give thanks to the Creator and surrender your burdens. This allows the spirits to help you work through the issues, and Nana Luna (grandmother moon) to help you rest in preparation for the new day.
 
Bendiciones, 
 
Maestro Jerry