A Gentle Check-In for Challenging Times

“Not everything that is faced can be changed,
but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
– James Baldwin

Hi beloved community,

I want to take a moment to check in.

There’s a lot happening right now. Many of us can feel it, even if we’re not talking about it out loud. It can show up in subtle ways – in our bodies, our moods, our sleep, our patience, our hearts.

Rather than rushing to fix or make sense of it all, I want to invite something simpler.

A pause.
A breath.
A moment of noticing.

(Optional Check-In)

How are you doing?

Not how you think you should be doing.
Not how you’re presenting to the world.
But how you actually are.

Let’s slow this moment down.

Take one breath in through your nose.
Let it out slowly.

That’s it.

Now just notice:

• How does your body feel today?
• What feels tight, tired, or tender?
• What feels steady, even a little?

There’s nothing to solve here.
Nothing to figure out.
Just noticing what’s present.

When the Body Feels Supported

In my work with patients over the years, I’ve seen this again and again:

When the body, mind, and heart feel supported, something wise takes over.
The system remembers how to regulate.

This is true across modalities. Whether we’re talking about acupuncture, bodywork, energy work, or other holistic approaches, the heart of the work is the same: to create the right conditions for healing, and then trust the body to do what it knows how to do.

Healing doesn’t usually come from force.
It comes from safety, support, and attention over time.

A Simple Practice for the Week

If you’d like something gentle to work with, try this once a day:

Place a hand on your chest or your belly.
Ask quietly, “What do I need today?”
Listen for the first honest answer.

It might be rest.
It might be movement.
It might be connection, boundaries, or simply permission to feel what you feel.

Let the answer be simple. Let it be enough.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If what you’re noticing is that you’d like support, that’s okay. Acupuncture, bodywork, energy work, and simple human presence can make a real difference – especially during intense or uncertain times.

The team and I are here when you need us.
We hope to see you around the Village.

And if this check-in stirred something for you, you’re always welcome to reach out or comment below. A few words, a sentence, or even just one word is enough.

With care,
Lance
Village Wellness