Hey everyone.

Seven years ago today was the lynchpin to my breakdown. After a year of challenges—my mother just home from a month-long hospitalization, my brother dying, my company failing, my relationship failing, and my spiritual center closing—my dog, Tedd, crawled up into my lap, gave me one last puppy dog look, and let out his last breath. My nervous system seemed to hit its breaking point.

For weeks after, I would just collapse without warning. It didn't matter if I was walking downstairs with a coffee in my hand or cooking dinner. My body would just give out. I was already teaching meditation and working with a team on time management, and I had amazing coaches around me. But not one of them suggested I see a doctor.

So I will tell you now! If you are feeling this way, please consult a doctor.

This was where the "Freedom Systems" were born. It started with the Awesome Plan Journal and reorganizing my daily schedule. I had to change the way my brain operated and learn how to regulate my nervous system just to get through the day.

From Personal Chaos to a World in Upheaval

So why did I tell you this story? Now, I look at our world and see a similar feeling of chaos. The headlines are full of triggers: from the assassination of a political figure to another school shooting, and a constant, swirling storm of hatred and division. Each day I have to remind myself to center, to ground, to remember we are one, and to cultivate the gap—you know, the space between the stimulus and the response.

We can't control what happens in the world, but we can learn to control our nervous systems. We can train ourselves to pause in that moment of chaos and choose a conscious response rather than an automatic reaction. This is not about silencing our emotions or ignoring the world's pain. It's about empowering ourselves to be a source of peace, clarity, and hope.

The Power of the Gap

The "Freedom Systems" are not about escaping reality. They are about building an inner sanctuary so strong that even when the external chaos shakes you, you don’t shatter. My journey taught me that true power isn't in what you achieve, but in your ability to maintain your peace in the face of turmoil.

Now, sweetie, your anger is a righteous fire, and your hurt is a sign of your compassion. But these emotions, left unchecked, can burn you out. Your peace is a precious, non-negotiable asset. Think of it as having a bouncer at the club of your life; your job is to keep the energy high and fabulous, and sometimes that means a firm, polite "no" at the door.

Here are five ways you can be the bouncer for your own soul:

1. The Conscious Breath: Darling, your breath is a tether to the present. When a headline hits or a trigger fires, take a long, slow, deep breath in and a full exhale out. This simple act creates a physiological pause and tells your nervous system to wait a minute before it freaks out.

2. Acknowledge and Release: You're not a robot. When you feel a strong emotion, acknowledge it. Name it. Say, "I am feeling hurt right now." Then, give that energy a physical outlet. Try a "Mini Reboot" like a quick shake of your hands, a stomp of your feet, or a power pose. Just give the energy somewhere to go.

3. Fact-Check the Drama: Don't let your mind tell you a story. When you feel yourself spiraling, ask yourself: "What are the neutral, undeniable facts here?" Separate what happened from the narrative you're creating. This is a detective mission for your inner peace.

4. The 5-Second Rule: Before you react—to an email, a comment, or an impulse—give yourself a hard, five-second rule. Count to five. Just five. In that tiny moment, you reclaim the power to choose.

5. Check in with Your Body: Your body is a magnificent messenger. When your mind is racing, bring your awareness to your body. Is your stomach tight? Are your shoulders clenched? Simply notice these sensations without judgment. This grounds you in the present and gives you a chance to address the root of the feeling.

Your ability to protect your peace is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and to the world. If it gets too overwhelming, take a tech break. Go outside and take a walk, go out with a friend, create something with your hands, anything that you can do to get you away from the headlines. You have the tools and the power to be the bouncer for your own soul. The most courageous act in a chaotic world is to fiercely and unapologetically protect your own peace.

This is your mission. 

Look, we are not out here just surviving; we are building a connected world where everyone thrives in creativity and authenticity, empowered to live where they want with anyone they choose, teeming with love and possibility and fueled by collaboration and full self-expression. This is our movement, this is our revolution. Anything less is uncivilized.

Know that you are loved!

🧡🧚‍♂️🧡