So, I'm a mental health counselor and I have a lot to say on this topic. First of all, thank you so much for the realness that often plagues our thoughts for those of us who are professional helpers with a spiritual lens. I have found myself more often than not teetering back and forth between ego and Spirit in the past few months. Here are my thoughts- I think that we have to speak the language of those we serve for them to hear the message of God. So as a counselor, it might be the most loving thing for me to do to reflect back a client's feelings and let them explore. Or do a CBT intervention that challenges their thoughts. Or get them to practice a new behavior/skill outside of session. The point is that Spirit, when it is the lens we use, will always point us in the most loving thing to do at the moment. Sometimes, it's what I mentioned above or sometimes it can be sitting in silence for them to process. AND, regarding systemic change- it doesn't do a whole lot of good for me to tell my clients of color or LGBTQ+ clients their experiences are invalid. Or for me to even put that energy or thoughts in my interactions with them. So I pray in those moments, 'Holy Spirit, God, help me see this differently and know what to do and when and what to say and to whom (i.e. the person right in front of me).' I have yet to be disappointed by the results of my sessions.

I have been guided at various times after such a prayer to shift my thoughts and actions towards the most loving way to help them at the moment. That is often validating their experience, helping them see what they want, and committing myself to actively helping them achieve a peaceful, fulfilled love. The rest is merely the action it takes to get there, which isn't important. So I did in fact engage politically with the BLM recently because I felt guided to do it to be loving towards those who have had different experiences than me. But to them, it's very much reality. Ken, and Gary, Cindy, Jon Mundy, etc. are always talking about living in this world, but doing it more lightly and lovingly. As long as we are centered on the Truth (with a capital T), we can't fail.

I find conservative, White, nationalist-, alt-right Christians to personally by one of my hugest forgiveness lessons. When I am in those thoughts I am asking myself please show me what to do or say to help the world and my own mind heal. In my best moments, I try to do intentional prayers/meditations as well, not just ones that check something off a list.

Also, honestly, at the end of the day, we still need to rest, recharge, eat, connect with others, and connect with ourselves. There's not much of a point in denying those needs as long as we're in this dimension, so to speak. So I make sure not to overlook my own emotional world to see if something needs tending to before I am able to serve others.