Creating space for whatever exists
I hope you’re finding ease in your entry into Summer and re-entry into social life.
This month marks the end of Beditation, which comes with lots of feelings!
I began offering Beditation on March 16, 2020, at the very beginning of lockdown here in Montreal. They were my way of rising up to the challenge of community support. In many ways, they were an immigrant story reaction—leaning into work when things are uncertain, believing that somehow through work, you’ll secure yourself. In other ways, though, they were an anchor for me during the scariness of those first few months.
They were always 15-minute guided meditations offered from my bed, at no cost, through Instagram Live. They ran seven days a week at first, then five, and eventually twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays (once I rediscovered the joy of showering in the mornings!). Beditation gave me the opportunity to (re)connect to my Montreal community, whom I credit for making me the teacher I am today.
While Beditation had been a really, really sweet space of community, as I’ve been slowing down more and more this year, I’ve recognized the value of having extra space for rest and being (instead of doing), especially as work starts to pick up again.
I hope to spend this summer existing in the space between endings and beginnings, trying to allow some things to just be a season. Like sitting in the space between breaths or sounds. Maybe that space offers the chance to learn something new. Or not. Maybe I’ll simply notice what has been there all along. Regardless, I’m excited to be present for whatever shows up.
With that said, it’s in my nature to share with people and my community, and right now I’m doing that through my membership community and this newsletter. Thank you for following along, staying connected, and supporting me!
How are you slowing down and creating space for yourself this summer? And how are you sharing yourself with others?
Reflecting On Canada’s History
Last week was “Canada Day” here, however, the news of unmarked and mass graves being uncovered is really hitting home.
As I continue to try to decolonize and re-indigenize myself, I’m asking myself what that means in the context of living as a settler on land that is not my land.
I’m currently starting to read Unsettling Canada: A National Wakeup Call and recommend sending donations to the Indian Residential School Survivor’s Society, Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction, and The Orange Shirt Society. Some may have done reflecting and donating on July 1, but I sorely and firmly believe this is just the beginning of what we can do as individuals.
Dawned on Me/You/Us
As a verb, dawn can mean "become clear" or “enter one's consciousness or emotions.” It’s in this spirit that I share with you some of the things that help me get clear in various ways. May it be the same for you, too.
Have fun.
The Nostalgia Machine
Pick a year, any year! Click to find all of the most nostalgic jams from that particular moment in history. The dates go back as far as 1951.
Listen.
Blackbird sang in Mi’kmaq
Sixteen-year-old Emma Stevens covers “Blackbird” in her native language – Mi’kmaq, or Micmac—and it’s beautiful. Here is a short interview with her and the full video of her song.
Listen.
All my Relations podcast: Healing the Land is Healing Ourselves
A conversation with community organizer, citizen scientist, activist, water protector, entrepreneur, writer, gardener and all-around incredible Dine woman, Kim Smith to understand how violence on the land is violence on our bodies, and that the inverse can also be true.
Read.
In Solidarity: Indigenous Allyship Anti-Racism
Living Hyphen has compiled further reading on allyship, solidarity, and anti-oppression.
