There is a great deal asking for our attention right now.
We may be carrying the ordinary pressures of work, relationships, finances, family responsibilities, health concerns, and simply trying to keep up with daily life. At the same time, many of us are taking in a steady stream of news, political conflict, social division, uncertainty, and events in the world that can leave us feeling unsettled or powerless.
Even when we aren’t consciously thinking about these things, the tension can accumulate.
We may notice that we are a little less patient than usual.
Something small irritates us more quickly.
We feel overwhelmed by one more request.
We replay a conversation long after it has ended.
We become frustrated with people who see things differently than we do.
Or perhaps we simply feel tired of holding so much.
Anger is not always loud. Sometimes it looks like irritation, impatience, resentment, defensiveness, restlessness, emotional exhaustion, or the feeling that we have reached our limit.
And none of this means that we are failing at being mindful, peaceful, compassionate, or spiritual.
It means we are human.
What If We Didn’t Have to Fight What We Feel?
One of the teachings I appreciate in Thích Nhất Hạnh’s Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames is his compassionate approach to difficult emotions.
Rather than treating anger as something bad that must be pushed away, he invites us to bring mindfulness to it—to recognize it, care for it, and look more deeply into what may be underneath it.
That feels particularly meaningful to me right now.
There can be a tendency within wellness and spiritual spaces to believe that our goal should always be to become calm.
But sometimes something genuinely matters to us.
Sometimes we are hurt.
Sometimes we are exhausted.
Sometimes a boundary has been crossed.
Sometimes we are grieving.
Sometimes what we see happening around us troubles us deeply.
The practice isn’t necessarily to make those feelings disappear.
The practice can be learning how to stay present enough that the feeling does not automatically decide what we do next.
There can be a small space between feeling and reacting.
And in that space, we may have more choices.
Listening to What Is Beneath the Tension
Throughout September, I want to explore that space together.
Not through long lessons or heavy assignments, but through very small daily practices.
We might begin to notice where tension first appears in the body.
We might become more aware of the thoughts that fuel frustration.
We might discover an expectation, disappointment, fear, hurt, or unmet need beneath an irritated reaction.
We might practice taking a pause before responding.
We might learn to listen more deeply—to ourselves and to one another.
And sometimes we may simply acknowledge:
This is difficult for me right now.
That acknowledgment itself can be a form of compassion.
Mindfulness does not require us to pretend that everything is okay.
It can help us meet what is actually here with enough steadiness and care that we are less likely to add more suffering through our reactions.
Softening Inner Tension: A Free September Practice
From September 1–30, I am offering a free online experience called:
Softening Inner Tension: 30 Days of Mindfulness, Compassion & Emotional Ease
The month is inspired in part by Thích Nhất Hạnh’s compassionate teachings on working with anger and difficult emotions.
This is not a book study, and you do not need to own or read Anger to participate. I will be creating original reflections and practices inspired by the themes we are exploring, and everything you need will be available in the free Peaceful Wellness Skool classroom.
Each day will include:
A short, easy-to-read reflection
One question to consider or journal about
One small mindfulness practice to carry into your day
Most days should take only a few minutes.
There is no expectation that you keep up perfectly. Miss a day? Come back the next day. Miss a week? Begin again.
Think of the month as 30 small invitations rather than 30 assignments.
Practice Together—or Quietly on Your Own
You can participate as simply or as fully as feels right for you.
In addition to the daily classroom reflections, you are welcome to join my regular Monday–Friday live meditation classes.
Our free Tuesday evening Community Meditation will feature a weekly meditation related to the themes we are exploring. These practices may include recognizing strong emotions, caring for difficult feelings with mindfulness, finding steadiness when emotions feel stormy, and deep relaxation.
Recordings of the meditations will be available afterward through my subscriber meditation libraries.
We will also have our free Community Gatherings on the first and third Fridays, September 4 and September 18, where we can reflect together, ask questions, and talk about what we are noticing. You are always welcome to simply listen.
Two Special Softening Inner Tension Experiences
For those who would like to explore the theme more deeply, I will also offer two special experiences during September.
In Person in Madison
Sunday, September 6 at 2:00 PM
Investment: $47
This 75–90 minute restorative Integrative Sound Healing Session will weave together guided meditation and reflection, body awareness, gentle tapping, aromatherapy, an AromaReiki-inspired release and receiving ritual, Reiki energy healing, and restorative sound.
Dona and I will create a shared field of sound and energy healing throughout the room, and each participant will receive a handcrafted Softening Inner Tension Aromatherapy Roll-On to use during the experience and take home.
Online
Thursday, September 17 at 6:30 PM CT
Investment: $15
This 60-minute online experience will explore similar themes through meditation, body awareness, reflective practice, optional aromatherapy, an AromaReiki-inspired practice, and group Reiki energy healing. Gentle sound may also be woven into the evening with singing bowls, chimes, and other supportive instruments.
The Softening Inner Tension Aromatherapy Roll-On will be available separately for anyone who would like to have one for the online practice.
Neither special event is required to participate in the free September program.
A Different Relationship with What We Feel
My hope for September isn’t that we reach October never feeling irritated, frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed again.
That wouldn’t be realistic—and I’m not sure it would even be desirable.
These emotions can tell us something.
The invitation is to become a little more familiar with them.
To recognize them a little sooner.
To care for ourselves while they are present.
To become curious about what lies beneath them.
And perhaps to discover that even when we cannot control what is happening around us, we can practice choosing how we meet the next moment.
Sometimes the shift begins very simply:
A pause.
A breath, if breath feels supportive.
Feeling our feet on the ground.
Recognizing, I’m getting frustrated.
Waiting before we send the message.
Listening before we answer.
Giving ourselves permission to step away for a moment.
Beginning again.
That is what we’ll practice together throughout September.
One day. One reflection. One small practice at a time.
The complete Softening Inner Tension 30-Day Practice is free, with an optional love offering for anyone who would like to support the continuation of free meditation, mindfulness, and community programs.
How to Join
Softening Inner Tension: 30 Days of Mindfulness, Compassion & Emotional Ease begins September 1 and is completely free.
To participate, simply join my free Meditate with Deb/Peaceful Wellness Skool community and open the Softening Inner Tension: 30 Days classroom. That’s where each daily reflection, question, practice, and links to our optional live gatherings will be posted.
No book purchase is required, and you do not need to attend the live sessions to participate.
👉 Join the Free Skool Community
Once you’re inside, look for Softening Inner Tension: 30 Days in the Classroom section.
Free to participate • Optional love offering
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