Issue 115
You’re not too Empathetic
Hello Beautiful Human –
The heaviness in your heart is not a problem. I know that being a deeply caring and empathetic human in the world right now can feel overwhelming.
I have, at times, told my husband, “I wish I didn’t care so much.”
The ache in your heart or the pit in your stomach is actually proof of life. Your mirror neurons are working.
The part of the human brain that connects us with each other through felt experience propels us to protect and care for each other. It enables humans to build societies where we all can thrive.
Micro-Practice
Can you thank yourself for feeling deeply?
It is brave to allow yourself to feel. When you engage with it, rather than let it happen to you; you become empowered within your emotional experience.
Don’t make yourself ‘wrong’ for feeling deeply.
Put your hands over the spot in your body that keeps talking to you and acknowledge the emotion.
Ignoring it won’t make it go away. – It will only disrupt your mental clarity, make everything you need to do harder, and start fighting your immune system.
-> Naming it helps it calm down.
-> Naming it honors the reality of the moment.
-> Naming it allows space for courage and love to also take residence.
There is so much I don’t know or understand at this moment, but I do believe there is power in developing our embodied emotional capacity so that as empathetic humans we can confidently grow our leadership and power without the overwhelm.
Deep empathy is not a liability in leadership.
By engaging with our inner world we are better equipped to contribute to the what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. refers to as the Beloved Community.
Want to develop your emotional capacity and practice this work within community?
Wired for Joy and Empowerment Group
starts today. If you’re interested, email me at sonya@sonyaperez.com and I’ll get you enrolled before our call at 12pm CT.
In the Twin Cities?
This week has been like none other. Join me at Watershed Spa this Saturday (1/17) at 8pm for for a collective exhale.
I have decided to make it a pay-what-you-can event & fundraiser. Use discount code: Breathe for 100% off to secure your spot. All contributions will be accepted at the door so none of it is eaten by Eventbrite fees.
Soak in the pool, sweat out the stress, be nourished by the healing gifts of my friends Andres and Mariyam.
We all need this collective exhale.