Hello hello,
Wow – there’s so much going on, I’m not even sure where to start. Russia has invaded Ukraine resulting in the senseless loss of life, the Florida House passed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the Texas Attorney General declared pediatric gender-affirming procedures to be child abuse, and Dr. Paul Farmer died (one of my personal heroes). As a highly sensitive person, it’s difficult not to succumb to debilitating sadness these days. However, Biden has nominated the first Black woman to the Supreme Court (!!), a woman in Miami delivered a baby on the side of the road, a little boy was reunited with his beloved teddy bear after leaving it on a flight … ( I may have Googled ‘good news this week’ to round out the last two examples here…) I hate that looking for any type of good news right now feels like toxic positivity, but what’s the alternative? Karen Walrond, author of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto argues that hanging on to joy in times of sadness is the antidote to emotional burnout. Throughout history, we see celebration despite unspeakable horrors. She gives the example of the Carnival celebration originating in the Caribbean amidst the atrocities of slavery. She says that sustained activism requires a sustained practice of gratitude and joy. Check out her conversation on the topic with Brene here:
https://brenebrown.com/podcast/accessing-joy-and-finding-connection-in-the-midst-of-struggle/
An easy form of activism right now is donating to help families in Ukraine. Squeeze your family, allow yourself to feel joy for the positive things in your life, and use that joy to help someone else – xoxoxo
#powertoprivilege #courageousconversations #ukranianlivesmatter
-Jessica