Include

Sometimes a song gets stuck in your head,  right?

I’ve been unable to get a particular song, “Danny Nedelko” by IDLES, out of my brain this week. Written during a wave of anti-immigrant hatred in England, the song celebrates the expansion of human experience that happens when we refuse the trap of fearing people who appear to be different.

I think that’s something that was missing from my elementary school lessons about inclusivity and kindness: that they aren’t just something we should do for other people. In reality, these are qualities/approaches to life that benefit the person offering them, not just the one receiving them. Inclusion isn’t something we practice simply to be nice. Hopefully, we also practice inclusion because it invites everyone involved to a bigger experience of who we all get to be.

Now, to be very real about it, I want to acknowledge that opening our world to include more people and experiences can feel challenging. Maybe it’s hard to push yourself out of your comfort zone; maybe your energetic resources feel tapped to the extent that it’s hard to imagine bringing something new into your life.  But this in itself should stand out as a red flag: if we’re too tired to ever step out of our comfort zone or experience something new…maybe that’s a sign that some things need to change?

I’m curious when the last time was that you felt inspired by something, or found yourself drifting toward a new perspective because you were able to see a situation from a different angle. I’m curious when the last time was that you were delighted by something unexpected. I’m curious when the last time was that you recognized a habit that wasn’t working for you, and dropped it for something healthier. To me, these are all beautiful indicators of a healthy nervous system and a decent level of neuroplasticity–that is, the ability to let your brain grow and change. And these are all practices of opening ourselves up to include the more that life always offers, if we let it.

I hope this summer allows you the opportunity to seek out fresh experience. And I hope that experience feeds you, and leaves you feeling energized and excited about life. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Erin Hansbrough

Wellness Center Director, The Remedy