An Important Reminder, Exciting Update, and Inspirational Website
Information about upcoming changes and a wonderful website I found
This thought-provoking quote is a small example of the inspirational wisdom Valarie Kaur shares. I’ll share more and link to the related website below. But first, an important reminder: This is the last Changing Lives post of 2024; publication will resume in January 2025. I explained why in last week’s post:
Painful Truths, Exciting New Possibilities, and Important Information About the Future of Changing Lives
I’ve always been honest with readers about my life. I’ve shared painful past experiences and ongoing struggles as well as my greatest joys and new beginnings I’m excited about. This post includes all of the above.
Now, the exciting update: I’m offering a six-week small group on Zoom. The tentative title is “Spiritual Support for Sensitive Souls.” It’s not a course; it’s a conversation about the spiritual beliefs and practices that have helped or harmed us and how we nourish our souls now.
The group will meet on Sundays from 7-8:30 PM CST from January 12-February 16. I’m limiting it to 12 people, and paid subscribers will get first dibs (and a big discount). Registration isn’t open yet; I’m just sharing the dates and times now since live participation is the only option.
Finally, here are some additional quotes from Valerie Kaur’s newsletter, which links to some amazing free resources on the Revolutionary Love Project website:
In the wake of the election, I want to say to you urgently: Love will make us brave for what is ahead. Now, more than ever before –
Revolutionary Love is the call of our times.
We have been building a movement to reclaim love as a force for justice, healing, and transformation. This fall, I crossed the nation on a bus to 40+ cities. … I witnessed our collective heartbreak — and our courage. …
Honor your grief: Your grief shows how deeply you care – your capacity to love.
Honor your rage: Your rage carries information and energy – it connects you to your ability to fight for what you believe.
Soon, we will alchemize this pain into energy and language and action. But we cannot do that unless we allow ourselves to feel it first. Gather with people. Talk. Walk. Process in relationship. Breathe together. …
We must be sober about the assaults before us — the rise of authoritarianism, the normalization of cruelty, the cost of violence. … Your sacred task will be to lift your gaze and realize that you are not alone in the dark. There are … millions of us longing for a world of love and liberation.
… Through every cycle in human history, people have been thrown into the darkness, and they have a choice: Do I succumb to my despair or do I dare sing a song of love? Do I free only myself, or do I refuse to leave anyone behind?
… So many of our ancestors — especially Black and Indigenous ancestors on this soil — labored for a future they did not live to see. But they still showed up. So too, must we.
… In the coming months, we will need to alchemize grief and rage on a scale we have not yet before. AND — we will need to protect our joy.
I hope you read Valarie’s newsletter in its entirety and watch the embedded videos. I also hope you find ways to protect your joy throughout this holiday season.
See you in January!
P.S. If you’re looking for unique and affordable gifts, or just want to see some of my beautiful nature photos, go here.