I think we can safely say that Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) has now given way to Trump Arousal Syndrome, as the psychotic spotlight moves from the “lefties losing it”, to the “far right” feeling a rise in fortunes, fuelled fervently by speculation and hyperbole.
US and UK-approved rockets, with disgusting-sounding names designed by psychopaths, are launching, it seems, from inside Ukraine towards Russia, in the latest development of the proxy, good-for-business, war about which few of us can actually remember why we’re really involved, or on what grounds, beyond the heavy hints of who we should be hating.
And, as Storm Bert takes a well-earned break, after battering the Celtic frontier, environmental catastrophes continue to gather ground in intensity and regularity, creating altogether a somewhat unsettled (British understatement) backdrop for a Happy Christmas, let alone a positive prognosis for the year ahead.
My suggestion, shared in all earnestness, is to batten down the hatches, not only weather-wise, but also mentally and spiritually, and have yourself a merry little Christmas, by turning your back on the world at large, focussing your attention instead on the world of your immediate sensory perception. Take a reality check with an emphasis on you, yours and your local community, where you can truly make an impact, and less so on distant troubles, about which you can do little apart from gnash and wail.
That’s how I see it right now, if you want to manage your mental health and joie de vivre, but perhaps a more compassionate and generous response than this is my friend Kimberley’s. She, a thoughtful Facebook poster and creator who, with husband Phil, will be offering a ‘manifestation’ course in the new year. One where you can create your own reality, rather than default to the increasingly insane serving suggestions that seem to be the best the powers-that-be have to offer, year in, year out.
“In talking to some family and friends, I’ve become aware these past few weeks of the despair, confusion, uncertainty and disillusionment some of them are facing about a whole range of situations,” said Kimberley, who lives near Castelo Branco, in a recent share that caught my eye and warmed my heart.
“It makes me sad that they are sad,” she added. “It’s caused me to reflect on what you can do when things are happening that make you feel fearful, sad, anxious or helpless and they feel beyond your control to change.”
A deep thinker and great carer for the needs and hopes of others, she wrestled with this question and the answer that came to her was this: “You may not feel you have the power to change situations. What you can do is choose how to respond.”
For her own part, and “in the mix of all the emotions”, Kimberley, or Lady K as she’s known to loved ones, chooses “to still allow space that can be filled with joy. To do things that bring me joy. It’s not selfish. It’s self-care.”
It’s an interesting thought, or intervention, is it not? To turn inward and take care of your own holistic health, when everywhere, wherever you turn, the world is asking you to be concerned, feel strongly and even take action with your words, wallet or war effort.
Her self-care regime had her, whilst over in London recently, make an effort to seek out family and friends, binge-watch some favourite shows, and laugh! “Laughter always brings me joy,” she says, clearly enjoying the ‘best medicine’ whilst creating more coffee meetups, chatting about her favourite subjects like life plans, coping strategies and learning.
Not content with this level of interactive self-love and laughter, she also went to a comedy club to see the comics of the future honing their craft, getting inspired by their willingness to “put themselves out there, speak up and overcome their fears of ‘what will other people think’ and just do what they love.”
It didn’t stop there as Kimberley took to the streets, but not just any streets. The Christmas lights of Oxford and Regent Street no less, enjoying Tuk Tuks belting out Mariah’s ‘All I want for Christmas’, passing Liberty, Hamleys, Fortnum & Mason and The Ritz. Onward through Green Park to Buckingham Palace “where the flag was raised to full height meaning the King was in residence”, Kimberley recalled fond memories of life in London before Portugal, as well as making some new positive neural pathways.
With 21,140 steps (to be exact) in 24 joy-filled hours, Lady K had truly charged up her happy bank and put into practice her mantra – “Live as you dream!” And it’s this message that she shares with others by way of transforming their lives, making me look a little Grinchy and ‘bah humbug’ with my opening comments today.
Live as you dream is no empty threat or promise, however. It could be considered one of the pillars of Kimberley’s teaching that helps others create their dream life, when they embark on her six-week, “hands-on” course called “This One Thing”. The course’s name comes from the potentially life-changing enquiry: “If there was a way to bring about ‘this one thing’ in your life, would you do it?”
Those one things could be a life partner, greater fulfilment, a dream home, or that old favourite – more money. But why do we find it so hard to get or attain those things?
“At some point in your life,” says Kimberley, “you will have had something you wanted to achieve, and it’s likely that when you shared this idea with family and friends, who you hoped would support you, some were positive, some were probably quite negative.”
“It’s probably fair to say that the last time everybody was ‘on your team’ was when you were learning to walk. You took a few first steps and they celebrated! You stumbled and fell, they picked you up and encouraged you to try again. Everyone wanted you to succeed,” she says, which makes so much sense.
In small, online groups, Kimberley and hubby Phil (who you can guess manifested each other) guide and support ordinary people with extraordinary dreams, using baby steps, to realise their vision with this same level of nourishing unconditional positive regard, as Carl Rogers once put it.
“What really stood out for me,” said one past participant Kyrstie, “was their ability to create a fun, engaging, and safe space for us to learn and grow together. Their energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and they were always ready to answer our questions, provide guidance, and offer feedback to help us reach our goals.”
So if the Munson method is a little too miserable for you, find out more about Kimberley’s transformational course, inspiring content and supportive community at https://coowoodoo.info, and make 2025 a great year, in your own, purposeful way.
By Carl Munson
Carl Munson is host of the Good Morning Portugal! show every weekday on YouTube and creator of www.learnaboutportugal.com, where you can learn something new about Portugal every day!
