Staying Grounded When the World Shifts: A Guide to Coping with Major Policy Changes

Staying Grounded When the World Shifts: A Guide to Coping with Major Policy Changes

When I woke up today to news of “Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill” passing into law, I felt a deep sense of unease. Even though I now live in Mexico as an immigrant from the United States, my heart is still deeply connected to communities that will be significantly impacted by this kind of legislation.

Maybe, like me, you experienced a similar sense of heaviness or even frustration at this news. Perhaps it felt like an emotional wave, touching on your values, your sense of justice, and your compassion for others. As someone who’s chosen to build a life abroad, I’ve learned firsthand how interconnected we really are and how policies that feel distant can still hit very close to home.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can stay grounded and resilient during times like these. Change is never easy, especially when it’s something we didn’t choose. But over the years, both professionally and personally, I’ve come to deeply trust that these moments hold opportunities to reconnect with our values, take meaningful action, and grow in unexpected ways.

Let me share some gentle insights on how we can navigate this moment together.

First, Gently Honor Your Feelings

When something big happens, especially when it touches our sense of justice, compassion, and equality, it’s natural to feel strong emotions. I feel sadness, confusion, even worry. If you felt something similar, please know you’re not alone. These feelings are your heart’s way of telling you how deeply you care.

Pause for just a moment, right now. Where do you feel these emotions in your body?

Maybe it’s tension in your shoulders, tightness in your chest, or a heaviness in your stomach. Just gently notice those sensations. You don’t need to fix them or push them away. Just acknowledging these feelings helps soften them and creates a space where healing can start.

I’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, that simply being gentle with yourself can change everything.

Small Actions, Big Impact

Living as an immigrant has taught me something very important: no matter how distant we feel, we can always make a difference through small, intentional actions. Big changes in policy or politics might make us feel powerless, but the truth is, our greatest power often lies in the small choices we make each day.

Today, consider one small step you can take to help yourself feel more connected to your values and to those you care about:

• Maybe send a supportive message or make a call to a friend or family member directly affected by this law.

• Consider donating, even a small amount, to an organization aligned with your values. I support the Santa Fe Refugee Collaborative.

• Take five minutes to breathe deeply, sit quietly, or step outside. Caring for yourself in small ways enables you to be more present and compassionate toward others.

These small steps may seem tiny, but they matter. Each small action is like planting a seed. With time and care, seeds grow into something deeply meaningful.

The Power of Staying Connected

One thing I’ve learned from my life in Mexico is the incredible importance of community. When external events seem overwhelming, staying connected with people who share your values can help keep you grounded.

Ask yourself: Who can I reach out to today who shares my concerns, hopes, and dreams?

When we share our experiences openly and authentically with others, our collective strength grows. Community, even if it’s a small circle of friends or family, is one of the most powerful sources of resilience we have.

Visualize What’s Possible

Sometimes when the world feels uncertain, using your imagination can be deeply grounding and hopeful.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself one year from now. Look back on today and notice the positive, meaningful ways you chose to respond to this change. Picture your actions clearly, feel the satisfaction and peace of knowing you stayed true to your values, and notice the small differences your actions made in the lives of others.

When you visualize positive outcomes, you gently open the path toward making them real.

Daily Practices That Align You with Your Values

I’ve found that integrating small daily rituals into my life is a powerful way to stay anchored, especially in uncertain times. These rituals help us consistently live according to our deepest beliefs.

Here’s one simple daily practice:

• Each morning, identify one of your core values: compassion, fairness, kindness, courage, or something else that deeply resonates with you.

• During the day, notice how your choices reflect this value.

• Before bed, gently reflect on one moment when you embodied that value, even in a small way.

This practice is a simple reminder of who you truly are and what truly matters to you.

A Gentle Story for Finding Hope

Here is a story I once heard; I often remind myself during difficult times.

Once, there was a gardener who spent years carefully tending a beautiful garden. One day, an unexpected storm came and severely damaged the garden she loved. At first, she felt deep grief and discouragement. But slowly, she began planting again—small seeds of hope, trust, and patience. Over time, her garden blossomed once more, even stronger and more vibrant than before.

You, too, have the strength and wisdom of this gardener. You can trust your resilience. Even in difficult moments, you’re capable of planting seeds that will blossom into something beautiful.

As you move forward in the coming days, please remember to be gentle with yourself. Honor your feelings, stay connected with others who share your values, and take small but meaningful actions. Know that your voice, your heart, and your presence matter, no matter where in the world you are.

Together, we can find ways to transform uncertainty into opportunity, despair into hope, and challenges into gentle strength. And we’ll remind each other, every step of the way, that no external event can diminish the quiet power we hold within.

Blessings and abundance, always,
Dr. Mark A. Arcuri
New York