July was a heavily emotional month with two Full Moons, the heightened energy of the summer, and all of the divisive news stories in the media.

The internet is an invention that has brought the entire world together and has even made our universe seem a bit smaller and more attainable by all of the satellite images of far away earth-like planets.

As our realities are becoming infinite, our minds and physical bodies are transforming from centuries of old truths and we are having a rough time keeping up with our new imponderable existence. In a Caroline Myss lecture, she spoke about how the invention of the atomic bomb and the realities of global destruction shifted us culturally, biologically and spiritually. That is why we are now a throwaway culture and why most of the structures we build are built to last more than 20 to 30 years.

Deep down in our DNA, we no longer believe we are going to survive as a species. Heavy shit, I know. But I am saying this so we can gain insight into who we are so we can become the person we want to be.

Like so many of you, I got caught up in the whirlwind of emotion that surrounded the death of Cecil, the majestic lion that was hunted and killed. I immediately felt an immense sadness that quickly transformed into disgust and anger towards the killer and what he had participated in. I wanted to separate myself from him and from all the acts of animal cruelty humans take part in.

I’m a vegetarian, but I do eat some eggs and dairy products. So I have no illusion that I perpetuate an industry that I loathe and speak out against. I also drive a truck, fly across the world in jets, forget my to-go cups and shopping bags and do all sorts of other things that harm our Mother Earth. And like everyone else, I feel bad about it and do what I can, when I can to make myself feel better. And that wasn’t the only disturbing news of the month that threw me off balance and shattered some of my realities.

With the current realities of the world, we constantly need to remind ourselves to love ourselves so we can love the other people on this planet and therefore make the world a better place.

Use the tea recipe, listed below, to remind yourself to be a more compassionate being.

Recipe: Compassionate Heart Tea

Instructions:

1. In a quart jar, throw in a handful each of Hawthorn berry, leaves and flowers, rose petals and a touch of cinnamon powder.  
2. Pour boiling water over herbs and cover completely. If you’d rather make a sun infusion, only cover herbs 1/4 with boiling water and add room temperature water instead and set out in the sun for 2 to 3 hours.  
3. Drink a little before your daily meditation or anytime you need cheering up or clarity on a stressful situation.

As always, when energy flows, wellness grows. Love yourself every single day.