In the wake of these past days, as so many families face loss and uncertainty, we gathered to process and reflect.

Brian Shiers, LMFT, led us in an exploration of resilience—not as something to strive for, but as something already within us, already moving through us.

Watch the full video here.

Resilience is not about being unshaken.

It is about allowing ourselves to feel, to grieve, to be undone, and to trust that, in time, we will come back to ourselves.

As Brian reminded us, every emotion, every moment of exhaustion, every wave of grief is part of resilience.

It is not a sign of weakness—it is proof that we are alive, that we care, that we are connected.

Through breath and awareness, we were reminded that even in the midst of so much upheaval, there is a part of us that remains steady.

Not even this experience can take that away from us.

If you are struggling right now, please know that it is not something to fix or push away. The sadness, the anger, the overwhelm—they belong.

Let yourself experience them. Let them be held.

And just as important—reach out.

To friends, to loved ones, to strangers.

Be with others.

This is not something meant to be carried alone.

So often, we think of resilience as the ability to push through, to keep going without breaking. But true resilience is not about suppressing our emotions—it is about allowing them to move through us.

The sadness, the grief, the moments of exhaustion or overwhelm—these are not signs of weakness. They are proof that you are alive, that you care, that you are deeply connected to the people, places, and things that have shaped you.

Resilience is not about avoiding the storm.

It is about acknowledging that you are already in it and trusting that you will find your way through.

In moments of grief or stress, it can feel like we are being pulled under by waves of emotion. Fear, anger, sorrow, helplessness—they can feel all-consuming.

But Brian reminded us that while these feelings are real and valid, they are not who we are.

There is a deeper awareness within each of us, a steady presence that is not shaken by external events.

That awareness allows us to observe our emotions without being completely overtaken by them.

It is the part of us that notices, that bears witness, that remains constant even when everything else feels unsteady.

When disaster strikes, people often say, “At least you’re safe, that’s what matters.”

And while that is true, it does not take away the grief of losing a home, a lifetime of memories, the little things that made a place feel like yours.

Grieving these things is not shallow. It does not mean you are ungrateful.

It means you are human. Your home was not just walls and a roof—it was a space filled with meaning, comfort, and belonging.

Loss is loss.

Allow yourself to mourn what is gone.

Let yourself feel the weight of absence.

These feelings do not take away from your gratitude for what remains—they exist alongside it.

We are not meant to carry these experiences alone. When hardship comes, we might feel the urge to withdraw, to hold everything inside, to manage it by ourselves.

But healing happens in connection.

Sharing our experiences, asking for help, allowing ourselves to be supported—these are acts of resilience.

We need each other, not just for practical needs, but for the emotional weight of what we are carrying.

Let yourself be held. Offer that same space to others.

Together, we will find our way forward.

Words from Sharon Salzberg

Sometimes, the simplest acts—washing the dishes, offering a kind word, taking a breath before reacting—can ground us in the present moment. When things feel overwhelming, focus on what is right in front of you.

Resilience does not mean going through this alone. It means softening into the support around you, allowing yourself to receive kindness, and offering it in return.

A Resource for Parents & Educators

For those supporting children through this time, Dr. Becky Kennedy has provided a resource guide on how to talk to kids about wildfires and loss. You can find it here: Good Inside Wildfire Resources.

I hope to see you at February’s event with Bran Shiers!

Let’s practice together! Stay safe.

Wishing you love and light always,

Chair, Harvard-Westlake Mindfulness Club

Hokusai Says

Hokusai says, look carefully.
He says pay attention, notice.
He says keep looking, stay curious.
He says there is no end to seeing.

He says look forward to getting old.
He says keep changing, you just get more who you really are.
He says get stuck, accept it, repeat yourself as long as it is interesting.

He says keep doing what you love.
He says keep praying.
He says every one of us is a child, every one of us is ancient.
Every one of us has a body.

He says every one of us is frightened.
He says every one of us has to find a way to live with fear.

He says everything is alive—shells, buildings, people, fish,
mountains, trees, wood is alive.
Water is alive.
Everything has its own life.
Everything lives inside us.

He says live with the world inside you.

He says it doesn’t matter if you draw, or write books.
It doesn’t matter if you saw wood, or catch fish.
It doesn’t matter if you sit at home
and stare at the ants on your veranda,
or the shadows of the trees
and grasses in your garden.
It matters that you care.
It matters that you feel.
It matters that you notice.
It matters that life lives through you.

Contentment is life living through you.
Joy is life living through you.
Satisfaction and strength is life living through you.

He says don’t be afraid.
Don’t be afraid.
Love, feel, let life take you by the hand.
Let life live through you.

Take a few moments to reflect on these prompts. Let them guide you gently into the year ahead.