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| ISSUE NO. 698 |
| WE'VE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT THE POWER OF BELONGING . . . Belonging. Not fitting in, which would require one to contort to a prescribed vision - but belonging, meaning that you are most welcome exactly as you are. And not power, as in asserting dominance over something or someone, but power as in a steadying, rooted knowing and trust that supports healthy growth. Dorothy and I birthed Good Food Jobs from the sense of belonging we felt with one another - one that has fueled so much expansive work over the last two decades, both personally and professionally. We are two different people with different skills and interests, and a shared set of values. It is this relationship - and the countless other relationships that we have built together through the platform - that give us hope for the future. Because when we belong together, we feel safe to explore the darkness, to hold the weight, knowing that we have a web of support to help carry us through. As Prentis Hemphill writes in their beautiful new book, What it Takes to Heal, "Feeling is revolutionary, a disruption to the status quo. Though it feels personal and happens in our bodies, it doesn't need to be a solitary action. Feeling and connection bring us into the world and into relationship with one another. Some things seem too big to be felt alone because they are." We don't have 'the answers' (because we know there are no shortcuts and not one silver bullet to fix all of the ills in the world), but we do know that there are countless ways to contribute. And we know that the most profound impact will occur when we work together. So this is just a little love note to say that we see you. To tell you how glad we are to have you in our life. All together now, photo by Christine Han |
tidbits...resources on anti-racism, environmentalism and food culture AKA stuff we're reading / listening to / watching / noticing / thinking about / captivated by this Tuesday . . . Sophie Strand reminds us that we belong to this Earth and this universe. |
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