In a world where injustice is becoming more and more clear, activism is on the rise. “Activism” simply means advocating for the change you want to see in the world.
(To me, this means we’re all “activists” as we’re always “advocating for change” by the simple mechanism of how we’re Showing Up in the world. We’re all impacting the Interconnected web of Life; some of us just do it more intentionally - and louder hehe - than others. This is the story of why I’m not in love with the term “activist”... I digress…)
There are many different flavors of activism:
Calling
Donating
Petitioning
Protesting
Standing up
Speaking out
Caring
Loving
It all matters.
Every bit makes a difference.
But.
When we start judging others, or ourSelves, for how we’re doing, or not doing, activism
we’re undercutting ourSelves and our cause.
We’re leaking precious energy.
We’re taking that sacred rage
sourced from our Connection to the web of Life itself
and directing it at anyone who triggers us.
If Shame is part of our activism game
we aren’t truly embodying the change we want to see in the world.
The way we Show Up as an activist matters.
This doesn’t mean being “nice” to everyone.
It is possible to stand for something and be curious & compassionate to the experience of another human being.
But if we’re “doing” activism in a way that cuts others/Self down rather than lifting up
we’re missing the point.
To do so is to become Disconnected from our work as an activist.
Don’t get me wrong,
there’s not much more difficult than feeling like the world is broken and no one cares.
But this is our work.
Our work is to channel that energy, that rage, towards the levers of change.
Our work is to examine the pain beneath that rage.
What does injustice mean to me?
Why does it hurt when others don’t seem to care?
What is the experience of feeling small & powerless?
Why am I so easily triggered?
When we sit with these questions, we can begin to know the activist.
We learn the Roots of our own pain - our Connection to the human experience.
When we heal ourSelves,
we reclaim our power and increase our capacity to be an agent of change.
We think activism is about the Collective.
Which it is,
but only because it is about us.
We are the Collective.
Activism is personal.
Activism is opening our deepest wounds.
Activism is discovering our power.
Activism is trying to find our place in the Bigger Picture.
Activism is learning to hold all of that.
Activism is an attempt to heal the Collective.
But the only part of the Collective you’re responsible for healing is
YourSelf.
This is your work.
This doesn’t mean that you should stop whatever particular form of activism suits you best.
The world needs that.
But if you aren’t seizing the opportunity to heal yourSelf in your activism,
you aren’t fully embodying the change you want to see in the world.
I say this with all the love in my heart.
I love activists everywhere.
I see you and how much you care.
I know how much this matters to you - and to the Collective.
And because of that,
I need to challenge you to grow.
I wouldn’t challenge you with something I wasn’t taking on mySelf.
I’m challenging mySelf to evolve -
to increase my capacity for pain, discomfort, disappointment, and rage.
The world only changes when we change.
Action matters
but its impact is directly proportional to the depth of Self Healing we have engaged in.
Stop worrying about how you, and others, are “Doing” activism.
Start focusing on who you are Being
and how you can Show Up as the most Potent & Powerful version of yourSelf.
Make Space for:
Raging
Grieving
Accepting
Releasing
Resting
Playing
Creating
Caring
Loving
Connecting
These will Support you in:
Increasing your stamina & resilience
Increasing your nervous system capacity
Increasing your ability to experience beauty while staving off cynicism
Preventing burnout & Engaging with vigor (managing your energy)
Growing & Healing
Being Present with your human experience
And finally…
If you don’t ever do anything besides treat others compassionately…
You’re making a difference.
I know so many beautiful souls who feel like they aren’t doing enough
and it breaks my heart.
The truth is that more than anything,
the world needs truly compassionate, caring humans.
So don’t accept Shame - from others or yourSelf.
Whether you’re
on the phones,
in the streets,
or simply treating others with compassion (Connection)
in a world full of hatred & division (Disconnection)
Be you.
Embrace Healing yourSelf.
Show Up potently.
No matter how
defeated
small
powerless
cynical
hopeless
devastated
you may feel
Don’t ever stop caring.
Don’t stop Showing Up with Love.
Compassion is activism.
Compassionate caring humans change the world.
I see you.
I love you.
—Benjamin