I recently returned from a week on the east coast visiting family. I love being there, the compassion and care I receive both emotionally and spiritually are beyond measure. To be honest, I had no idea just how drained I was in both those areas of my life. It does not escape me that a big chunk of my weariness comes from the consistent overwhelm of the current state in our country and around the planet.
If only we would take a break and get our faces out of the news feeds. Not one of us will single-handedly make a life changing impact on this country, however we may make a huge positive difference in another individual's life.
Love your neighbor! Be kind! Pay it forward! These are the callings we all should strive to answer thus creating a cared for community.
Perhaps then, weariness will fall to the wayside and together we will see a country and planet thriving in compassion.
Thanks for sharing this inquiry, Karen. In my experience in my community, self-compassion is very often a revolutionary act. Self-compassion goes hand-in-hand with compassion, as do the other three Brahmaviharas — friendliness/lovingkindness, empathetic joy, and equanimity. Since we’re all interconnected, attending to ourselves is part of attending to each other.
So, for me, practicing compassion is inextricably tied to practicing self-compassion. It’s both/and, along with finding a Middle Way.
Looking forward to what emerges as you continue working on your manuscript!
Hello Karen, your words have stayed with me since I read them early yesterday morning. Thank you! I am in deep agreement that this is the work ahead to care for ourselves and for each other - compassion is the way. After reading your words I sat down to write and the prompt for the day (I’ve been reading and writing though Suleika Jaouad’s “the Book of Alchemy”) was about Human Mycelium by Fernando Murillo… it was beautiful and a powerful reminder of how trees and nature creates communal compassion all the time - how the mycelium beneath our feet is so connected and strong… I wrote about the people who make up my mycelium and the interconnections that keep me sane and loved and healthy so I can keep showing up for justice. And I thought you’d like that image … My own racial justice journey and activism work has had to change to recover from burnout.. and the Mother Tree Community has been a meaningful space to slow down so I can keep showing up in ways that matter. I bet you’d like Dr Amanda Kemp’s work too.
Just wanting to reach out and thank you for so consistently bringing wise and compassionate words to this world. I count you as part of my human mycelium too 🥰
Hello Karen, thank you for sharing this.
I recently returned from a week on the east coast visiting family. I love being there, the compassion and care I receive both emotionally and spiritually are beyond measure. To be honest, I had no idea just how drained I was in both those areas of my life. It does not escape me that a big chunk of my weariness comes from the consistent overwhelm of the current state in our country and around the planet.
If only we would take a break and get our faces out of the news feeds. Not one of us will single-handedly make a life changing impact on this country, however we may make a huge positive difference in another individual's life.
Love your neighbor! Be kind! Pay it forward! These are the callings we all should strive to answer thus creating a cared for community.
Perhaps then, weariness will fall to the wayside and together we will see a country and planet thriving in compassion.
Amen, I say, amen.
Thanks for sharing this inquiry, Karen. In my experience in my community, self-compassion is very often a revolutionary act. Self-compassion goes hand-in-hand with compassion, as do the other three Brahmaviharas — friendliness/lovingkindness, empathetic joy, and equanimity. Since we’re all interconnected, attending to ourselves is part of attending to each other.
So, for me, practicing compassion is inextricably tied to practicing self-compassion. It’s both/and, along with finding a Middle Way.
Looking forward to what emerges as you continue working on your manuscript!
"So, for me, practicing compassion is inextricably tied to practicing self-compassion. It’s both/and, along with finding a Middle Way."
AbsoLUTEly.
Hello Karen, your words have stayed with me since I read them early yesterday morning. Thank you! I am in deep agreement that this is the work ahead to care for ourselves and for each other - compassion is the way. After reading your words I sat down to write and the prompt for the day (I’ve been reading and writing though Suleika Jaouad’s “the Book of Alchemy”) was about Human Mycelium by Fernando Murillo… it was beautiful and a powerful reminder of how trees and nature creates communal compassion all the time - how the mycelium beneath our feet is so connected and strong… I wrote about the people who make up my mycelium and the interconnections that keep me sane and loved and healthy so I can keep showing up for justice. And I thought you’d like that image … My own racial justice journey and activism work has had to change to recover from burnout.. and the Mother Tree Community has been a meaningful space to slow down so I can keep showing up in ways that matter. I bet you’d like Dr Amanda Kemp’s work too.
Just wanting to reach out and thank you for so consistently bringing wise and compassionate words to this world. I count you as part of my human mycelium too 🥰
“Human Mycellium” — I love this! I bought Jaouad’s book, but haven’t read it yet — I will now, thanks for the reminder!
Page 136! 🙌
Amen.