I want to extend my heartfelt hope that all of you are warm and safe from the disruptive weather in the US or elsewhere.

And more than the weather is heavy and unsettling right now.

With so much going on, it's understandable if our emotions leave us uncertain about what to do even when we want to take some form of action.

What that action, if any, might look like will be very different for each of us. There is no one-size-fits-all way to respond.

It may include actions that are more private than public-facing, such as:

• helping your children and your community navigate and gain perspective on challenging times. Smiling Mind, for example, offers resources for parents to help kids navigate and process distressing events.

• bringing mindful awareness to how your economic decisions align with your values. This may inform how and where you shop so you can more closely align your spending with your beliefs, whatever they may be.

• engaging in ways that are meaningful to you and still help you retain a sense of well-being, such as making calls to your elected officials on issues that matter to you.

It may also lead you to take some time to reflect, whether in silence or not, with how you want to show up in these times.

This is an invitation for mindful introspection, not a judgment about the choices you do or do not make. Silent Stay Retreats is an example of a supportive environment if you want to step away for a short while. If solitude and reflection are desired but travel is not on the agenda, home retreats, even small ones, are always an option.

These are not easy times. Mindfulness can support you and help you stay grounded enough to respond in the way that is in line with your values and right for you.