JoAnn Saccato

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11/11/2017

Personal & Community Resiliency: How to Help Our Friends and Neighbors

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As we reach year three of experiencing catastrophic fires in our community, our neighbors in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties are entering year one. How can we--whether we are new to disaster or becoming well versed in them--support those we know, and even those we don't know so well, in our collective recovery?

Looking at the graphic below, we can see that over the first few years the impacted community will go through a series of emotional ups and downs on their way to a new normal.

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There are a number of anticipated physical, emotional and mental reactions individuals experience as discussed in this blog post (Part I) and this blog post (Part II), but I wanted to spend some time focusing on the larger picture, because sections of our populations will be riding through what is mostly considered a necessary path to a stronger future.

Also, having information about our likely path can help us prevent what is known in the mindfulness circles as "the second arrow."  This is the pain and suffering that can arise through our reactions to already painful events. Understanding that what we're experiencing is a natural part of the process for most can help us not judge ourselves or our process so harshly.

Since trauma can show up in different ways, including irritability, isolation, substance overuse, and more, the reverberation of trauma  affects not only those surviving it, but all those they touch.

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3/1/2016

Personal and community resilience using mindfulness and compassion (Part II)

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(In light of the Clayton fire, I am reposting this blog for those in our community that are newly traumatized by this event, as well as for the Valley fire survivors who maybe retraumatized by the event. I hope it is helpful.)

As we use a curious and kind attention to discover and accept our responses to difficult events, we consciously can let go of the self-judgement thoughts--"I didn't lose near as much as many others." "It's been six months since the fire, I shouldn't be feeling this way." "It's not okay to ask for help." In letting these thoughts go, our mind becomes more at ease and can focus more on supporting our perfectly natural process--including navigating the myriad steps forward into our new lives.

Here are some tips that may support our resiliency and process:
  • Take frequent breaks throughout the day. A 5-minute mindful break can do a lot to shake off any stress that may be accumulating in the body and mind and serve to help us refocus our attention on the important things. A mindfulness break can be anything from sitting quietly with eyes closed; placing hands on our heart and torso and tuning into the natural breath; taking a mindful walk outdoors; literally "shaking it off" with impromptu movement or dance; yoga; and/or stretching--basically anything that brings our attention into our body and the present moment experience.
  • Eat regularly and healthily. When our bodies go into stress response, our digestion and immune responses tend to shut down (it's evolutionarily wired into our biology). We may not feel as hungry as we would normally, so taking regular breaks to eat mindfully can not only guarantee we get our needed nutrition, it may help us come more fully into the present, relieving the mind of ruminating, anxious thoughts. Mindfulness can help, particularly if we find ourselves (like I did!) eating more than my body was hungry for. It's not uncommon for us to use food to comfort ourselves, and since those of us susceptible to substance overuse may notice an increase, bringing a mindful eye to our consumption can be a compassionate and helpful response, as overuse of substances can hinder our recovery in the long run.
  • Strengthen and rely on our social networks. One of the best things we can do for ourselves is be surrounded by loving and supportive people. Particularly people we feel safe around Everyone from our intimate partners, family, and close friends to our social organizations, support groups and community action groups can be a great help at this time. It may even be helpful to reach out to support groups that are specific for our trauma. In the case of the #ValleyFire, the California H.O.P.E. team offers crisis counseling groups in the fire-affected region on a weekly basis. We might be amazed to discover a whole new community experiencing similar reactions. It's important to share our heart, fears and concerns with those we feel safe with and know can meet us and hold us with a kind attention and acceptance.
  • Do the things we love. We may be overwhelmed with activities that are necessary for recovery--insurance claims, rebuilding tasks, tax returns and the like--but it is important on the road to our new life to include those things that give us the most pleasure. Joining loved ones or friends at the movies, hiking or biking in inspiring areas, visiting our favorite gallery or museum or dining at our favorite restaurant--all of these can be helpful to nurture our way through.
It's a perfect time to embrace living our lives from intentions rather than expectations.

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2/16/2016

Personal and community resilience using mindfulness and compassion (Part I)

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(In light of the recent Clayton fire, I'm reposting this blog because so many more in our community will now be experiencing traumatic response to the event. As well, those of us still recovering from the valley fire maybe re-traumatized.)


Is there anyone you know in our community that wasn't affected by the #ValleyFire in the Fall of 2015? Not only was most (if not all) of our community affected, but so many more beyond were touched by the intensity and immensity of the fire. The affected community seems to include the whole world when you consider acts of kindness and generosity.


From a mindfulness perspective, the broadness of impact points to one of the many reasons we bring a compassionate attitude to ourselves and others. If not a fire, then some other painful situation or loss will occur in everyone's life. No one is exempt. And while there are many differing degrees of impact for each community member here in Lake County, we all respond to disasters on a physical, emotional, spiritual and cognitive level.

As those that gave move on with their lives (generosity graciously appreciated!), there are those of us still dealing with the aftermath in some way or another. This many months after, we may be questioning our response and our ability to navigate through our lives at this time.


What determines our reaction? There are so many contributing factors including age, past trauma experience, the degree to which we experienced the disaster, our social supports, the tools we have for working with emotions, and more. While there isn't a one-response-fits-all formula, my recent work with the California H.O.P.E. team in Lake County helps me understand some common patterns of reaction. My experience and research with mindfulness and compassion practices helps me know that these tools, in particular, can assist us in recovering more resiliently, which aids our whole community in bouncing back from this disaster.

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  • Home
  • Events
    • Ongoing
    • Free Workshops
    • Mindful Resilience Course
    • A six week introductory course in mindfulness
    • Half Day Retreats
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    • Self-paced opportunities
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