Hello friends! Today, we are thrilled to share our celebration from our Feb. 17 webinar that ushered in the Year of the Fire Horse with our Empowered Together founders, Cynthia de Lorenzi, AlinaZ and Hope Katz Gibbs, creator of Inkandescent® PR + Publishing Co.
In what will be our new monthly tradition, we are gathering for a webinar to share thoughts, ideas, wisdom, and inspiration — and we open up the room for comments and thoughts so all of our attendees can learn from each other. Don’t miss the conversation!
Join us in April 10 at 8pm ET for our next webinar, led by Kristin Engvig, CEO of the WIN Conference — designed to empower, connect, and develop leaders while advancing women’s freedom of choice and opportunity in the world, at work and in their own lives alongside men. Register for your free ticket on Eventbrite. Click on this link to join the Zoom room.
Listen to our podcast • Watch the video • Scroll down to learn more about the Year of the Fire Horse • Also below, as our gift to you, we offer 8 Ways to Stay Sane when life feels chaotic
Click here to join the Empowered Together Network!
About us: Learn more about Cynthia, AlinaZ and Hope
Fire Horse, Illustration by Michael Glenwood Gibbs, www.michaelglenwood.com
The Fire Horse in Chinese culture: The Horse is known for its energetic and dynamic nature. It symbolizes vitality, speed, and perseverance. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to possess similar traits, such as being hardworking, warm-hearted, and independent.
The Horse is also associated with success and good fortune. There is a phrase “马到成功” in Chinese, which represents achieving success swiftly and smoothly, just like when a victorious horse arrives at the battlefield. It implies that success can be achieved rapidly and effortlessly.
Some people may wear clothing or accessories depicting horses or incorporate horse imagery in their homes for positive energy and fortune. During ancient times, horses were used to transport goods, kings, soldiers, and messages—the legend of the White Horse Temple tells the story of the origins of faith and China’s first Buddhist temple.
People born in the Year of the Horse are independent, enthusiastic, popular, cheerful, and quick to compliment others. said to be outgoing and cheerful and enjoy being part of a crowd, but only when they can take centre stage. Some famous folks with this birth year include Barbara Streisand, Clint Eastwood, Sandra Day O’Connor, George Soros, Vladimir Lenin, Paul McCartney, and Emma Watson.
Learn more about the Empowered Together Network on Inkandescent Women magazine. We invite you to join us! Find details about the benefits of membership here.
Cynthia de Lorenzi, AlinaZ, Hope Katz Gibbs
Keep Calm and Carry On: 8 Ways to Stay Sane when life feels chaotic
With love from the Empowered Together team
1. Acknowledge and Validate Emotions
- Accept your Feelings: It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, from anger and fear to sadness. Encouraging participants to acknowledge these emotions without judgment can provide relief.
- Group Share: Allow space for participants to voice their concerns. Sometimes, just articulating fears can make them feel more manageable.
- Boost your Mindfulness Practice: Introduce grounding exercises, like mindful breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, to help manage anxiety in the moment.
2. Stay Informed (Without Becoming Overwhelmed)
- Carefully Curate your News Sources: Limit your news intake to only include trusted sources and avoid misinformation so you can avoid emotional overload.
- Set Boundaries: Limit time on social media or news apps to specific intervals. As you know, continuous exposure can increase stress and negativity.
- Focus on Facts and Actions: Stay informed about tangible steps they can take within their communities to create positive change. Being part of the Empowered Together Network is a great step!
3. Connect with Community
- Join Local Groups: Connect with like-minded individuals, online or in person, who share your values and concerns. Many find strength in numbers.
- Step up participation in your support networks: Become more active in advocacy groups and community organizations that focus on causes you care about (e.g., social justice, environmental issues, or human rights).
- Be Proactive Together: Organize a community event, such as a letter-writing campaign or a fundraiser for a cause they care about. Feeling active can reduce a sense of helplessness.
4. Prioritize Self-Care
- Routine and Health: Maintain basic self-care, including healthy meals, exercise, sufficient sleep, and relaxation.
- Creative Expression: Journal, make art, music, or any creative outlet that helps you express yourself constructively.
- Focus on Positives: Engage in gratitude journaling or daily affirmations to maintain balance and resilience.
5. Channel Fear into Constructive Action
- Political Engagement: Get involved in local politics, write letters to representatives, and participate in peaceful advocacy. In the Empowered Together Network, you’ll meet leaders in the advocacy and nonprofit world who need your help!
- Community Support: Build supportive networks, volunteer in their neighborhoods, and create safe spaces for open discussions.
- Empowerment Through Education: Understand your rights! This can help alleviate some fears and give people the confidence to act.
6. Seek Professional Help if Needed
- Therapy Resources: If you are experiencing severe anxiety or distress, please consider professional counseling or therapy, especially if it begins to impact daily functioning. Several Empowered Together Members are therapists, and we will be happy to connect you.
- Helplines and Support Networks: Stay tuned for contact information for mental health resources, crisis hotlines, and support groups that can offer immediate help.
7. Look to Positive Change and Resilience
- Reframe the Narrative: Like all stressful and complicated situations — this too shall pass. Instead of spending your precious energy worrying, consider using this period as an opportunity for growth, learning, and active civic engagement.
- Highlight Historical Resilience: Many social movements have faced setbacks, but have continued to make positive changes over time. Remember the Suffragists! Again, we will prevail!
- Focus on Long-Term Vision: Shift focus from immediate concerns to the longer arc of justice, compassion, and progress.
8. Words of Comfort and Affirmation
- I am not alone. Millions of people share my vision of compassion, respect, and inclusion.
- Resilience isn’t about not feeling fear or sadness; it’s about recognizing those feelings and continuing to live with hope and action.
- While change can be unsettling, it also brings people together in ways we could never predict. Together, we are strong.
- In times of difficulty, slow down, take a breath, and remember your power, both as an individual and as part of a community.