Courtney your posts have been so resonant these last few weeks. A tangent of this, and related to many comments below, is my work realm right now. If we are lucky enough to still have jobs and work community, everything seems to be harder but more real. Less barriers exist, both literally and figuratively. We see into each others homes. Our identities converge into one screen. It feels like the only work to do right now is to see each other fully, on every level. Building the muscles to work through the hard stuff. If we are going to destroy systems of oppression, how are we going to do it if people can't show up in all of the messiness of it all? So, there seems to be a big opportunity to build trust with one another, to use this moment to get closer. And yet, we're tired, overwhelmed, sad, fearful. I'm thinking constantly right now about how to super charge self-awareness and communication skills in my team, and how to create structures and containers for people to show up. There is part of me that knows exactly how to do this, and another part that is so overwhelmed by how distracted we all have been for so long. Thank you for pecking away in that car, Court. Keep it coming. Much love to you.
This is such an important insight. Really makes me think of Parker Palmer's work on "the hidden wholeness." I think the more leaders like you out there, who admit they don't know how but pursue that kind of wholeness anyway, the better off we will all be.
YES. So. many. woodpiles. And yes, particularly for strangers. That was the thing that made me most weepy. How did they trust that my words were worth it? It's so touching when we don't make other prove their worthiness. Love you, bro.
First, I asked myself how it is that you express my feelings so beautifully when I have been unable to do that myself. Then, I notice how grateful I am that you have expressed my feelings (and my behaviors) so well (yup, part of the resistance, yup, don't want to fill my brain with this president who is not my president, yup, see the inequities and waiting until November - while promising myself I will do more for the nominee than I did for Hillary). Thank you. and thank you to your perfect inspiration. May we all find a way to be someone's perfect inspiration.
I remember that woodpile, and how you described its effect on you then. Thank you so much for bringing me back to that experience. And for modeling that it's ok to be angry; in fact, it's necessary to make change happen. The systems of oppression are just so deeply entrenched. It's hard not to feel helpless. Still, I imagine how I can best use my humble power to resist policies that perpetuate oppression. Even if it's just shoring up my own inner resources to have the energy and focus to know where to start.
Thanks for this. You state everything I feel at the moment. I'm in my early 70's and mother's day and my birthday are next week. I will ZOOM with my girls and grandchildren but what I really want to do is hug them, a real strong hug. But, I am grateful I will be able to see all of their sweet faces.
I've thought about this "no-bullshit" moment a lot lately, but without coming up with such apt terminology. Your piece resonated on so many levels, Courtney. Thank you for sharing. I think that caring deeply and noting systemic dysfunction is what drives us to the rage we need to make change. The question is, do we also have the energy? Quarantine seems to be sucking some of that out of us, at scale. But maybe our simmering anger will drive hordes to the polls -- or to the mail with ballots -- in November.
Such an important question. I think we need real leadership to harness our energy when the time is right. Not White House leadership, but real people leadership.
Courtney your posts have been so resonant these last few weeks. A tangent of this, and related to many comments below, is my work realm right now. If we are lucky enough to still have jobs and work community, everything seems to be harder but more real. Less barriers exist, both literally and figuratively. We see into each others homes. Our identities converge into one screen. It feels like the only work to do right now is to see each other fully, on every level. Building the muscles to work through the hard stuff. If we are going to destroy systems of oppression, how are we going to do it if people can't show up in all of the messiness of it all? So, there seems to be a big opportunity to build trust with one another, to use this moment to get closer. And yet, we're tired, overwhelmed, sad, fearful. I'm thinking constantly right now about how to super charge self-awareness and communication skills in my team, and how to create structures and containers for people to show up. There is part of me that knows exactly how to do this, and another part that is so overwhelmed by how distracted we all have been for so long. Thank you for pecking away in that car, Court. Keep it coming. Much love to you.
This is such an important insight. Really makes me think of Parker Palmer's work on "the hidden wholeness." I think the more leaders like you out there, who admit they don't know how but pursue that kind of wholeness anyway, the better off we will all be.
We need lots of woodpiles. Are our hearts axes? Can our love be fierce like that? For strangers?
YES. So. many. woodpiles. And yes, particularly for strangers. That was the thing that made me most weepy. How did they trust that my words were worth it? It's so touching when we don't make other prove their worthiness. Love you, bro.
First, I asked myself how it is that you express my feelings so beautifully when I have been unable to do that myself. Then, I notice how grateful I am that you have expressed my feelings (and my behaviors) so well (yup, part of the resistance, yup, don't want to fill my brain with this president who is not my president, yup, see the inequities and waiting until November - while promising myself I will do more for the nominee than I did for Hillary). Thank you. and thank you to your perfect inspiration. May we all find a way to be someone's perfect inspiration.
So glad it's helpful to anyone else but me in my car pecking away at this keyboard! Take care.
I remember that woodpile, and how you described its effect on you then. Thank you so much for bringing me back to that experience. And for modeling that it's ok to be angry; in fact, it's necessary to make change happen. The systems of oppression are just so deeply entrenched. It's hard not to feel helpless. Still, I imagine how I can best use my humble power to resist policies that perpetuate oppression. Even if it's just shoring up my own inner resources to have the energy and focus to know where to start.
Amani! So wonderful to hear from you. That was such a special time. Sending love to you and your beautiful family.
Thanks for this. You state everything I feel at the moment. I'm in my early 70's and mother's day and my birthday are next week. I will ZOOM with my girls and grandchildren but what I really want to do is hug them, a real strong hug. But, I am grateful I will be able to see all of their sweet faces.
I've thought about this "no-bullshit" moment a lot lately, but without coming up with such apt terminology. Your piece resonated on so many levels, Courtney. Thank you for sharing. I think that caring deeply and noting systemic dysfunction is what drives us to the rage we need to make change. The question is, do we also have the energy? Quarantine seems to be sucking some of that out of us, at scale. But maybe our simmering anger will drive hordes to the polls -- or to the mail with ballots -- in November.
Such an important question. I think we need real leadership to harness our energy when the time is right. Not White House leadership, but real people leadership.
Bless your kind heart. 💞
Wow. Yes. This.