The WILDD in WILDD Hearts - When the Divine Dance Requires a Backbone

Wildly Inspired by Life’s Divine Dance sounds poetic. And it is.

But the dance is not always sunshine and roses. Sometimes it looks like staying steady when you feel pressured to perform, staying honest when it would be easier to exaggerate, and staying rooted when the world feels loud and reactive. Sometimes WILDD means backbone.

Before we go any further, let me ask you something that matters more than opinions or headlines.

Do you know your values, specifically?

Do you know your non-negotiables?

Do you know what you are willing to support, defend, and stand behind when it truly comes down to it?

This builds directly on what we explored in the last blog. Knowing what matters to you is not a philosophical exercise. It is preparation for moments when you feel pulled in a dozen directions, when information feels distorted, when people talk past each other, and when your nervous system wants to sprint, freeze, or shut down.

So here’s the real question.

How do regular, everyday people move forward with integrity when we do not have massive budgets, political power, or special access, but we do have a voice, and we do have a backbone?

Start by knowing your values clearly and concretely

Most people say they have values. Far fewer can name them clearly. Even fewer have defined what they are unwilling to compromise.

Choose three values that matter deeply to you. Not ten. Three.

Pick values you can actually live, not just admire. Dignity, honesty, safety, liberty, compassion, fairness, responsibility, restraint, courage, accountability, or something else that is true for you.

Then do something important.

For each value, write one clear sentence that describes what it looks like in real life. Not abstract ideals. Real behavior.

For example:

“I will verify information before sharing it, even when it supports what I already believe.”

“I will speak up when a policy, practice, or decision harms people, even if my voice shakes.”

“I will stay engaged locally, not just emotionally.”

Those sentences become your anchor. That is where WILDD (Wildly Inspired by Life’s Divine Dance) begins.

Calm your nervous system before you take action

Fear is a powerful motivator, and it is also easily manipulated. When your body is flooded with stress, you are more likely to doom scroll, react impulsively, share misinformation, or shut down completely. None of those responses serves your values.

Before engaging, pause and regulate your body. Feet on the floor. One slow breath in. A longer breath out. Drop your shoulders. Unclench your jaw.

This is not about avoiding action. It is about making sure your action comes from clarity rather than panic.

Ask yourself one simple question:
What is the next true thing I can do?

Not the perfect thing. Not the heroic thing. The next true thing.

How to know what is real when trust feels broken

Many people feel paralyzed because they no longer trust what they see or hear. That paralysis makes sense. But it does not mean you are powerless.

There are practical ways to sort truth from noise without becoming cynical or overwhelmed.

Slow down before sharing or reacting. Investigate the source. Look for coverage from multiple credible outlets rather than relying on a single voice. Trace claims back to original statements or data rather than summaries designed to provoke emotion.

And if something makes you instantly furious or instantly euphoric, pause. Strong emotional reactions are often part of the design.

Urgency is not proof. Volume is not proof.

Peaceful actions that actually make a difference

You do not need a giant platform to have impact. You need consistency and discernment.

Contacting elected officials matters when it is done thoughtfully and persistently. One clear message a week that explains what you want, why it matters to you personally, and asks for a response is far more effective than occasional outrage.

Participating in public comment periods for proposed regulations is another quiet but powerful form of engagement. Many policies are shaped long before they reach the headlines.

Local involvement matters deeply. School boards, city councils, county commissions, and library boards influence daily life more than most people realize, and one grounded voice in a local room can shift the tone of an entire conversation.

If you choose to donate or support organizations, vet them carefully. Look for transparency, accountability, and consistency rather than urgency driven by fear. Integrity matters.

Peaceful does not mean passive. It means disciplined.

How to stay grounded when others are angry or confrontational

Standing up for your values will make some people uncomfortable. Sometimes angry. Sometimes hostile. If you expect universal approval, you will either stay silent, or you will abandon yourself the moment tension rises.

The work is learning how to stay calm, regulated, and intact when others are not.

Most anger you encounter is not truly about you. It is often rooted in fear, grief, loss of control, or identity threat. Understanding that helps you respond without absorbing it.

Decide in advance who you want to be under pressure. Not what you want to prove. Who you want to be. Calm. Clear. Respectful. Firm. Boundaried.

Do not take the bait when conversations escalate. You can say:

“I am willing to talk about this if we can do it respectfully.”

“I am explaining where I stand, not attacking you.”

“We do not have to agree to stay civil.”

These are not weak statements. They are anchoring statements.

And know when to disengage. Walking away from hostility is not avoidance. It is discernment. You do not owe your energy to every argument.

Keep your integrity clean. You can stand for something without becoming hardened or cruel. You can speak firmly without dehumanizing others. You can advocate without abandoning compassion.

Coming back to the WILDD in WILDD Hearts

Wildly Inspired by Life’s Divine Dance does not mean drifting through life hoping nothing gets messy. Life is messy. The dance can be intricate and complex, and it can also be grounded in heart, backbone, and lived integrity, especially when things get hard.

WILDD is about participation, not performance. It is about being awake to what matters and willing to show up with steadiness and courage, whether the moment calls for gentleness or a firm step forward.

WILDD Hearts are not reckless. They are rooted in values, steady in nervous system, clear in voice, and intentional in action.

You do not need a giant platform to make a difference. You need a grounded presence, a clear voice, and the willingness to stand where you are.

That is the divine dance. Not perfection and not approval, but presence, backbone, and heart. 

That is the WILDD in WILDD Hearts.

Diana

Love is ALL there is.