It Doesn’t Need to Look or Feel Heroic

Winter and early spring, clinic’s been really full.  I’m grateful to have this small circumference of influence, entrusted to care for people contending with their bodies, their lives, and the intensity of these times. Ooouff, these times?!! One truth I keep in mind often is how many people all over the world are doing un-heroic things that positively influence the lives of those in their community.

Everyday all over this country and world, without applause or fanfare, millions of people are feeding and caring for their babies and children, schooling their kids, tending their elders, caring for the sick and compromised (physical or mental health), driving public transportation to get people where they need to go, sharing the food at their tablesor that they grow in their gardens with others, while others collect and deliver mutual aid to fill the chasms of care between our institutions and our neighbors.

All this was happening.
All of this is happening.
All of this will continue happening.
It has always been this and it will continue to be.
This is how humans live.
If you are not in relationship with others and feel isolated in these times, there are places for you to be in community with others.
A great entry point is stepping forward in service, small or large.

Acts of care, civility, and kindness rarely look or feel heroic. And yet, everyday individuals are stepping forward with concern, courage, and bravery to do what needs to be done in weaving human community. Alex Pretty was extending a hand in care. Renee Good was standing up for justice andhumanity. There are people all over this country standing in solidarity with immigrant coworkers and neighbors. Our early childhood educators and teachers go to school everyday, stand with and before our kids, support kids learning, and face questions about what is happening in the world. Health care providers labor daily for the benefit of others in a system that seems designed to ration and almost prohibit rather than facilitate access to health. Artists have brought vibrant cleverness and inspiration into these grave times all over the world. There is bravery and courage in every gesture. And each of these people are stitching together communities as inflatable frogs and unicorns did in Portland, as candles, singingand tireless neighborhood organizing did in the Twin Cities when under acute ICE siege.

What small actions are already a part of your days expressing care or courage, stitching people together rather than pushing apart? Pause and reflect a moment, whatever this brings up. Is there something you’ve done in the past that’s fallen off? Is there an intention you can renew?
Is there someone you know more engaged than you who might have some suggestions in your local area?
Are you over-extended and needing to moderate or unplug? Are you feeling separate andisolated, needing community? Depending on your internal response to the inquiry prompts above, consider the below:

• Reach out to an elder you know and check in on their sense of isolation. Offer to share a cuppa tea, share some food, do an errand, help with a task.
• If you’re a parent, reach out to someone you know willing to take the kids for a spell giving you just a lil breathing space.
• Offer some hours of kiddo care to families you know, particularly those unable to afford childcare.
• Drive someone you know to a medical appointment so they don’t have to go alone.
• Do a Rapid Responder training (if you’re in WA state through WAISN). You can join a local satellite and connect with others in your community while standing for inclusivity and care.
• Become involved with Common Power to address the vulnerabilities of our electoral system under our current federal administration heading forward.
• Find a local electoral campaign you really endorse. Support that candidate as local races WILL have impact on your community. Here’s an example in our region.  Feel welcome to ask me more.
• Participate in adopt a corner building rapport and providing support for our  largely undocumented day-laborers.
• Support a local food bank.
• Support a local non-profit doing amazing work, like the Seattle Symphony’s Community Stages program I had the awe-inspiring blessing of learning about at their recent 5th anniversary celebration.
• Create space for JOY! It’s vibrant spring here in Seattle! Wherever you are, go for a walk. It doesn’t have to be too long. Choose somewhere involving plants or water, or both!
• Dedicate yourself to tuning into the needs of your own bodymind:  Hydration. Sleep. Regular movement. Adequate protein, vegetables, fruit and whole foods.
• Moderate your media consumption, enough to stay tuned in, without succumbing to the lull toward overwhelm and paralysis.
• Consider brainstorming a list. Find an accountability buddy to track how you’re doing this spring.

A few weeks back, I had contact with two different people from early in my career. They both commented how long it’s been since I’ve written, and how much they have always appreciated these musings. And from those interactions this title was born. Once the title is born, the writing flows. You see these paragraphs are themselves a very un-heroic gesture. And, they are a gesture of care for you and our world. They are an invitation to lean toward each other rather than away. They are an invitation to lean toward our own joy, our own health, and our individual and collective vitality.
with abiding care,
abiding desire for peace,
abiding optimism about human beings’ capacity
to reach and care for each other.
Zoe