When you think you are your own separate, independent, self-made tree and not the forest, you care less when other trees are burning. This is a fatal problem of mistaken identity, colonized forgetting, and conditioned belief in your insulation from harm. You are always the forest. Indigenous ways.
-Jaiya John
I keep coming back to this poem by Jaiya John and other bodies of art that describe our nature, our ability to soften, our ways of communing.
The last week and a half at Yess was impactful. Truly a sign that our community knows where to lean into and how to get support. There is deep trust and witnessing that happens within these walls. It is magnificent.
We know that being in isolation with our feelings and thoughts doesn’t nourish our souls. The online world can overwhelm our nervous system. It can be a resource and it can set us off spinning. Leaving us to feel alone or afraid. This is the time to continue to “check on your people” as Alicia states regularly. Share honestly and with vulnerability. And know, when you come to Yess, we will not limit the range of emotions AND we will ground ourselves so we can take action.
When we are able to experience our humanity, we are able to advocate for all beings. When we empathize with each other, we bring radical joy and acceptance into our world. These aspects lend to inclusive change and we will continue to focus on daily at Yess. We’d love for you to join us, in believing that together we are better.
- What are you reading that feels nourishing?
- What are you doing that is supportive to your nervous system?
- How are you spending time in nature?
- Who are you sharing your energy with, both people and animals?