Hi Everyone,
For today’s newsletter I have (with permission) hijacked my therapist’s newsletter. Some of you may have read a recent newsletter in which I spoke about a few of Julie’s teachings. Most of the sentiments in today’s writings are hers. I’ve slightly changed a bit of the language because a few of her therapeutic teachings are derived from a specific therapy model that some folks may not be familiar with. Over the years Julie has been an enormous support to my capacity to show up to our world. She’s the person who taught me how to truly feel the planet’s pain without letting it ruin me. Without her I would have never known that letting my heart break would support my spirit in staying intact. She’s helped me show up with accountability to the many mistakes I have made as a writer and person. She has supported me in making vital decisions around my own activism. She has also helped foster my lens on interconnectedness. My faith in others and my faith in our capacity to create a loving world was born from my sessions with her.
So much is happening on the planet right now. It is very difficult for people to not be riddled with despair. As despair can be a stagnant and frozen place, I share Julie’s sentiments in hopes that activists will be refueled by her words. We need as many voices as possible right now. We need people who are energized for change, and that energy is most often born from fostering a compassionate environment within us. I believe Julie’s words will support us in getting there. Here we go-
Activism is notorious for burning people out and generating destructive infighting, even within the most committed groups. But what will allow us to collectively step into our true, evolutionary power? More specifically, what are the practices that support long-term, sustainable energy towards truly altering the course of our species? What must we build into our everyday relationship with ourselves in order to move through this seismic shift of our species into the light? Here are ten practices that will move you away from draining your energy into becoming a self-generating, happy activist.”
TEN WAYS TO BE A HAPPY ACTIVIST
(This list has been abbreviated by AG)
Live in impeccable integrity. Speak the truth, keep your agreements, take 100% responsibility for your actions, feel your feelings, connect with your essential self.
Generate energy by living creatively. The adrenaline of our big reactions to painful world issues are seductive. The more we can stay in a creative place, the more access we will have to new insights and new ways to help out.
Beware the Siren call to be a hero. Being a hero can have so much going for it. The certainty of being a good person on the right side of justice and an issue; the shot of adrenaline that comes from self-righteousness; others’ gratitude and admiration. But heroes require victims to save and villains to fight, leading directly to energy drain. Move out by getting back into integrity (see #1).
Create ongoing ways to nourish yourself. Eat supportive foods, get good sleep, rest, get outside, take your vitamins. Listen to your body.
Dance, play, sing, seek joy. Human beings are naturally joyful. Taking life too seriously—even when things can look dire—is not great for us. Letting yourself experience the buoyancy of joy will recharge and fuel you.
Meditate/pray/contemplate/go inward. Your inner voice is in there, underneath all of whatever cultural conditioning you’ve received. Take time every day to be with yourself, to find out how you’re really feeling and what you’re truly wanting.
Find inspiration. We live in a time where we can instantly connect with incredible teachers. Art is all around us. An endless array of music is at our fingertips.
Offload dense energy. Your body is likely to absorb the pain of people (and the wider culture)around you. Such reactions are contagious. Rather than trying to armor yourself against the hard stuff, fine-tune the art of letting it pass through your body. And if it sticks, find practices that will help move it out.
Create! Creation allows expression, literally “pressing out” emotions and energy that might be stagnating in your body. Sing it, write it, draw it, speak it, sculpt it. Create for you; and remember sharing what you create inspires others to do the same.
You need connection, contact, and community. Humans are pack animals. We feel comfort when we’re around other beings. You’re not in this alone; let connection support you. Laugh, cry, rage. Be who you really are. We’re your community. We’re all in this together.
Ok, everyone. That helped me to read and I hope it helped you. I have been engaged with activist communities since 1999. Around 2003 I had a wake up call, thinking, “How is this sustainable? We are depleted and grief-ridden and devastated year round. How will we ever last?” Even teenagers in our community were on the brink of burnout. Teachings such as Julie’s became crucial to our capacity to keep working for change. Now, as I navigate health challenges, there would be no way for me to show up to our world without such support in place.
To everyone working for positive change–thank you! We need you. And what we need most from you is for you to first take precious care of the world within you.
Love, Andrea 🖤
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📣 Add to the conversation: Do you have any practices you've found helpful that support long-term, sustainable energy towards stepping into our power? Share your thoughts in the comments