It’s funny how even when you know something terrible is coming, it can still give you an awful shock when it arrives, like a slap in the face or a bucket of ice water dumped over your head. That is what it felt like reading the leaked SCOTUS draft. Those of us who have been anticipating the ruling were not surprised: the slap is always shocking, even if you see it coming. Then there’s the aftermath, which is usually even worse than the initial shock. The whirlwind of statements, news coverage, opinion pieces, rallies, webinars, community dialogues, strategy sessions… Before you can even fully register your own shock, much less have time to sulk off and care for your wounds, you are thrown into a whirlwind of activity. It can be easy to lose ourselves in this frenzy, in this whirling, swirling, buzzing dust storm of activity. To lose the ability to see beyond the swirl, to imagine what’s next beyond the continuous, never-ending struggle for justice.
Inhale
Exhale
It’s funny how the first thing that goes is the most fundamental, breathing; how we hold our breath, shoulders and jaw clenched, brows knitted. BREATHE
Inhale
Exhale
I cannot tell you how often I have to remind myself to breathe… to allow myself the space and grace to tend to my wounds. These have been some HARD years and I am afraid that things will not get easier anytime soon; it is more important than ever that we take care of ourselves and of each other. That we show ourselves and each other a little grace in this struggle. This is not another call to action; it is an invitation. I invite you to take a moment, if you have not already, to reflect on what has happened. To really allow yourself to sit in your grief/ anger/ sadness, whatever it is that you are feeling. I invite you to acknowledge the sting of the slap and do what you need to do to tend to the wound (ask for a hug, call a friend, binge a show, write in your journal, go to the rally, cry, scream) whatever it is that you need to do to slow the swirl.
Inhale
Exhale
This is an invitation to be in gratitude for those who have come before you in this struggle, for those who have sustained you in this struggle, and for those who you struggle for so that they will not have to continue this struggle. I am grateful for this community. Each time I have an opportunity to learn more about one of you through a Member Spotlight or I hear about the work that a Chapter is doing I feel so deeply moved and deeply grateful that I am a part of this community. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you are and all that you do. Remember to keep breathing.