Don't Tell Me to Relax

June 15, 2020
De La Rosa (The Monkey Is the Messenger) encourages readers to turn their anger and frustration into action and self-reflection in this punchy work. Proposing that activism has everything to do with resilience, De La Rose suggests self-care and mindfulness as a means for increasing one’s resilience, and that anger can be the fuel needed to take action instead of something that hardens one’s heart. De La Rosa urges readers to let “inner tenderness” (connection to one’s emotions) keep them grounded, honest, and open to change as they wrestle with their own feelings. Redefining compassion as a communal struggle to improve society, De La Rose provides mindfulness activities and meditations to help readers empathize with others. He also asks readers to respect their own limits, and instructs readers to use their discomfort: “Our anger is moral. Our rage is sacred. Our anxiety contains wisdom. Our hearts are telling us the truth. If the truth makes others uncomfortable—good.” Activists should check out De La Rosa’s soothing mindfulness suggestions.