Deep breath out.
What a roller coaster of feelings this past week has been: Hope. Fear. Anxiety. Confusion. Exhaustion. Heartbreak. Hope. Grief. Worry. Relief. Hope…
I've heard many others express they've been through a similar roller coaster. Maybe you've been as well. It’s good to know we’re never alone in our experience.
While these are highly polarized times, there’s so much more that unites us than divides us. We all share the same fundamental human needs for safety, fulfillment, and connection. We all experience pain and difficulty in life.
Einstein said: “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." We cannot solve the challenges of our time from a reactive and fear-based place which further divides us against each other.
We’ve got to lean into both the inner and outer work to heal division and dismantle our systems of oppression.
Along the way, may we see our shared humanity in all of our interactions. May we treat each other with respect and kindness. May truth and kindness guide our actions.
We seed the future through our actions today.
What kind of context do you want to create? What will most serve healing?
Know that it’s possible.
With love,
Sarah-Marie
Resources
[PRACTICE] - Recognizing Our Shared Humanity
Try to recognize everyone's shared humanity in all of your interactions with others this week. Notice how this impacts you and others around you.
[LISTENING]
The Keep Going Song by The Bengsons. I've been listening to this on repeat this week. So heartfelt and true for these times.
Brene Brown on Strong Backs, Soft Fronts, and Wild Hearts
Krista Tippett with Karen Murphy on The Long View, II: On Who We Can Become
[QUOTE]
Excerpt from Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone
“Active Hope is not wishful thinking.
Active Hope is not waiting to be rescued . . . by some savior.
Active Hope is waking up to the beauty of life on whose behalf we can act.
We belong to this world.
The web of life is calling us forth at this time.
We’ve come a long way and are here to play our part.
With Active Hope we realize that there are adventures in store, strengths to discover, and comrades to link arms with.
Active Hope is a readiness to discover the strengths in ourselves and in others; a readiness to discover the reasons for hope and the occasions for love.
A readiness to discover the size and strength of our hearts, our quickness of mind, our steadiness of purpose, our own authority, our love for life, the liveliness of our curiosity, the unsuspected deep well of patience and diligence, the keenness of our senses, and our capacity to lead.
None of these can be discovered in an armchair or without risk.”
[GUIDED MEDITATIONS]
RAIN of Self-Compassion [16:34] to work with difficult emotions and cultivate self-compassion.
Self-Compassion Break [10:42] to work with a difficulty in your life.
Coming Home to Presence [16:59] to practice mindfulness of breath, body, and emotions.
Lovingkindness for Self & Others [19:51] to cultivate kindness toward yourself and others.
Cultivating Compassion for Others [10:56] to practice cultivating compassion for others who are struggling