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Blog: The Transforming Power of Giving and Receiving
by Sue Staropoli
I’d like to invite you to think of a time when you received a gift from someone – flowers, candy, a holiday or birthday gift, a simple present made by a child, or whatever gift or situation that comes to your mind at this time. Now, think about that situation. What carries the deepest meaning for you? Read the full post here.
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Presents and Presence
Here are some ways to embrace the season of giving and receiving.
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"How can we reciprocate the gifts of the Earth? In gratitude, in ceremony, through acts of practical reverence and land stewardship, in fierce defense of the beings and places we love, in art, in science, in song, in gardens, in children, in ballots, in stories of renewal, in creative resistance, in how we spend our money and our precious lives, by refusing to be complicit with the forces of ecological destruction. In healing."
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Congratulations... and Reflections
Congratulations to President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris!
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As the new administration starts to form, let us continue to reflect: what kind of energy are we putting out? Are we bridge builders? Are we a compassionate, healing presence? We can’t leave all the work to the leaders. We can’t fall asleep again.
H.O.P.E: Heart Open to Possibility, stay Engaged was the message from Rev. Deborah Johnson in A Post-Election Vision of Possibility offered by Pachamama Alliance just two days following the presidential election. Rev. Johnson will offer further perspective in a follow-up session on Building Sustainable Democracy on Tuesday, December 1 (3 pm EDT), to explore the importance of a spiritual practice for regeneration and insight, and rededication to igniting our highest potential in building sustainable democracy.
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“Know the ways of the ones who take care of you, so that you may take care of them. Introduce yourself. Be accountable as the one who comes asking for life. Ask permission before taking. Abide by the answer. Never take the first. Never take the last. Take only what you need. Take only that which is given. Never take more than half. Leave some for others. Harvest in a way that minimizes harm. Use it respectfully. Never waste what you have taken. Share. Give thanks for what you have been given. Give a gift, in reciprocity for what you have taken. Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever.”
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Community Calendar Highlights
Visit our Community Calendar to see all upcoming events.
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Seeds of Hope
Bridging Differences Through Relationship
Sunday, December 6, 2020
1:30–3:00 p.m. EST (on Zoom)
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This year’s election was an intense battle between Americans who deeply believed that a win for the other party would mean a loss of what they hold dear as Americans. This battle raised America’s level of angst and antagonism to new heights. How will this “house divided” stand against the barrage of Covid-19, racial injustice, climate change, and economic breakdown?
This gathering will help you move towards healing painful divisions in your relationships, and help you make meaningful new connections.
Register here for this free Zoom event. Invite others to join you—including people you feel a barrier with. When we bridge the divisions in our own relationships, the divisions in our society will no longer render us powerless. We will be able to see the path to healing our country’s painful divide.
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Project Drawdown
As you think of holiday gifting, or how to respond when asked what you would like to receive, you might consider creative ways to exchange what is not more “stuff.”
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Within the 100 Drawdown solutions there are many possibilities – like planting a tree, or giving LED lights, a compost bin, a book on vegan cooking.
Another way to gift is to send donations to organizations taking action on Drawdown solutions locally, nationally, or globally, including Drawdown itself. While the original Drawdown book has been updated online, it remains a wonderful source of knowledge as well as beautiful images to bring the global solutions alive.
Drawdown solutions not only lower emissions of carbon from the atmosphere, but also address issues of health, employment, environmental injustice, and wealth inequality. Working on DD solutions is supporting the movement toward a just, sustainable way of life for all. See the Drawdown section of our website to find resources, programs, action opportunities – solutions where you can make a difference.
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Good News for Rochester City Residents and Small Businesses!
Rochester Community Power is hosting online public information sessions to help city residents learn how they can participate in a community choice aggregation program (CCA) to both lower their utility bills and increase Rochester’s supply of renewable electricity.
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This is an exciting step involving a partnership between the City, Joule Community Power, and Roctricity. Learn more, and sign up to participate here.
Sessions are taking place on Nov. 19 at 5:00 p.m. and on Nov. 30, Dec. 9 and Dec.10 at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will have ASL interpreters and the Nov. 30 meeting will have a Spanish interpreter.
This program is for city residents, and similar programs will be rolling out in suburban communities in the near future.
You can read the full press release here.
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From Pachamama Alliance International
Pachamama Alliance continues to be a resource for intelligent, compassionate, and motivating engagement on the issues of this time.
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- If you missed it, here is the recording of the Global Gathering, which included almost 3000 participants from around the world. You'll learn about Pachamama Alliance's ongoing work with the Achuar people of Ecuador to protect the headwaters of the Amazon and hear perspectives on the past year and the way forward, from Arkan Lushwala, Jane Goodall, Van Jones, and others.
- Watch, Listen, and Learn: the Resilience and Possibility Series offers thought-provoking conversations, including this recent discussion of the rights of nature.
- The Game Changer Intensive is an 8-week, interactive, online learning experience in which participants delve into a wealth of carefully-curated resources—videos, readings, and activities—and have the chance to meet weekly in small groups. The registration deadline is January 10.
- Explore the full-range of Pachamama Alliance's activities on their website, and join the discussion here.
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PachaPeopleROC.org
Rochester Area Initiatives and Updates
A new group is forming: Understanding Indigenous Allyship. The first step in understanding allyship is educate oneself about the history and realities of an oppressed people. With this in mind, this group is humbly gathering to explore allyship with Indigenous Americans and begin a process of learning together. The compiled list of related resources is always evolving.
Visit the website to find all of our initiatives and resources.
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“How generously they shower us with food, literally giving themselves so that we can live. But in the giving their lives are also ensured. Our taking returns benefit to them in the circle of life making life, the chain of reciprocity. Living by the precepts of the Honorable Harvest—to take only what is given, to use it well, to be grateful for the gift, and to reciprocate the gift.”
~ Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
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STAY AWAKE.
LISTEN.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
ACT.
BE KIND.
MOVE.
BELIEVE.
TRUST.
LOVE.
HOPE.
Do not be afraid!
These are days of power and possibility!
You are here now because you are needed!
Continue the adventure!
Keep making your difference!
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