resources for change-making (part one)

This season has been full of new medicine for me, new learning of how I am in the world and how I can be — for myself, for my relationships, for our collective dwelling here. It has been difficult, and I’ve found myself the most resilient I have ever been in this sort of circumstance. This cultivation of resilience is wrapped up in conversations about living in a culture of white supremacy as a white person. My need for resilience in this moment is part of a larger conversation around the privilege and avoidance that landed me here. But here I am… definitely ready for more of that conversation. I’m eager to share more resources for this sort of work soon.

I wanted to share a bit of what’s garnered my being in this process. These resources are available to me because of my circumstances, my privilege, and, in some ways, the work I’ve done to get here. Even with all of these, it’s still an active choice every time I say yes. Here are some of what’s working for me.

What’s working right now...

• Make time to be with the real world.
  I don’t mean avoiding the true circumstances. But these are contrived, chaotic, and harmful settings and the wild world is an authentic reminder of how chaotic and self healing true relationship is.

• Drink water.
  Hydration means so much to our mostly water bodies.

• Moving my energy.
  Need to do something? Do something.

Sing. Shout. Write. Run. Kickbox. Hike a mountain. Create. Tear apart the creation. Sweat. Dance. Build. Talk about it. Dig a hole. Listen to loud music. Find a new place. Collaborate.

• Rest.
  Take breaks when I can. Remember other ways of feeling. Read fiction. Stretch this body. Sleep.

• Pick at least one rhythmic practice that really works for me.
        Like early morning routine
  midday routine
  before bed routine

• Eat something nourishing (not just sugar).
  And, if possible, avoid distractions that are easy patterns. They don’t usually help.

• Show up for each other.
  Being together is always going to be better than holding the weight of any work alone. I learn. I am held accountable. I engage what’s possible with my community in mind.

Herbs for Anxiety

passionflower   & chamomile

Stones for Intuitive Trust and Protection

black moonstone   & black tourmaline

Stones for Grounding & Clearing

smoky quartz   & selenite &  garnet

This is a super simplistic list of allies.

I could say more about these potent medicines but the best recommendation I have is — if you’re drawn to one of these in the work you’re doing — find it. Maybe in person, by tea or a stone to hold in your hand. Or maybe in your imagination, through images, art, and meditation. Be with this medicine. It’ll show up for you however is most resonant.

If you’re curious, ask questions. Learn more about how you might integrate these allies into your life. Connect with me via graham@rootdeepliving.com.

If you have things to add, questions, or ways to grow this conversation, please let me know. This is together kind of work…

Questions, comments, feedback, and wisdom welcome: graham@rootdeepliving.com. Keep it up, bright ones.