No pep talks here. We are in deep ache for what has happened and what lies ahead — for humans and all life on Earth. There is much to process. There will be much to do. One thing is very clear: We must build community.
Below is a guide we crafted to support those who want to come together in this moment. If you have been part of an All We Can Save Circle, regather and check in. If not, reach out to kindred community. (A circle, we’ve learned, can be as small as two.)
This is just an offering. Take whatever serves you; leave or remix the rest. But please connect however feels right, wherever you are.
Guide
This is a light facilitation guide for you to use. The experience will take ~90 minutes, depending on the size of your group and how much conversation unfolds.
🌱 Opening Quote: Share that we begin by grounding in the wisdom of those who have come before us — our ancestors in this work. Read this quote aloud.
My heart is moved by all I cannot save:
so much has been destroyed
I have to cast my lot with those
who age after age, perversely,
with no extraordinary power,
reconstitute the world.
—Adrienne Rich (1929–2012)
💫 Check-in: Welcome everyone. Thank them for coming together at this tender, essential time. Then, begin a round of introductions using this prompt.
Prompt: Words sometimes fall short. So, we’ll each share our name/pronouns + a body posture or movement that expresses how we’re feeling in this moment. Then “popcorn” to someone else. (Host-facilitator should go first and model this. Invite everyone to “echo” each person’s body posture or movement.)
🌬️ Breathe: Ask the group to take a soft gaze or close eyes. Invite them to notice the steadiness of Earth beneath us — our bodily connection to the planet we call home. Then take 3-4 slow, deep breaths together.
☀️ Share: Move through these 3 generous questions, ensuring everyone has a chance to share and be witnessed in that sharing. Assure the group that tears are welcome.
1. What grief do you need to name?
2. What is still true?
3. How can we be with and for each other in the days ahead?
🌙 Closing: Invite the group to go around the circle and each share a few words of wisdom they want to offer to themselves for the uncertain path ahead. After everyone has gone, read this quote aloud to close.
First, we grieve. Then, we dig through the ash to find our spark and breathe into it until it flames; then we do deep breath work until it becomes a roaring beacon. The world needs our light more than ever right now. I’m holding you close with tender love and envisioning myself being held as well. Keep reaching out and clasping hands with all of your beloveds and I’ll do the same. We need each other.
—Sherri Mitchell (Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset)
Where do we go from here? If you’re holding and turning that question, as we are, let us pass on a resource, passed to us through community: Daniel Hunter’s piece “10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won.” And, if you want to continue building climate community, leading a Circle could be one way to do that.
