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Greetings from North Carolina!
I've been thinking a lot about community lately. For one, I recently moved from San Diego to Fayetteville, NC. I'm also studying community psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and I participate in an engaged Buddhist sangha, which is a big part of my life. I've also been getting inspiration from Paul Born's book Deepening Community (I highly recommend it).
People who've never been active before are now engaging in activism, and many long-time activists are "amping it up." As we become more active and engaged in response to the times, there's a real risk for burnout and frustration, especially if things don't happen as fast as we'd like them to. Community is what will carry us through. Self-care is a bit of a misnomer, as yes, there are times to withdraw and retreat and take care of ourselves alone, but it's really taking care of one another in community—and taking action together—that will sustain us in the long haul.
This March I'm co-hosting a day-long workshop in Winston-Salem. In addition to practicing yoga and meditation, we'll dive into discussions about nonviolence and activism. The workshop will be a great way to connect with community and cultivate our person power. So if you're in the area, I'd love to see you there!
In solidarity,
Stephanie Steiner, Director of Education
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