Join me tomorrow...
Misty eyes, soft hearts, can't lose.
Hello, wonderful people,
I hope you’re staying nourished this week, and finding rest where you can.
From talking to many of my loved ones recently, I know this week as been an especially draining one. If you, too, find yourself barely hanging on, I’m here to say: I hear you, I see you, my heart is with you.
I gotta be honest: Sometimes I feel frustrated by how little impact I have, how hard it is to affect change, how impossible it feels to cultivate peace when there is violence everywhere. I don’t have a good answer, but I suppose none of us does, individually. Maybe that’s where community comes in.
It’s easy to become annoyed (especially during times of extreme, global unrest) at how ridiculously insignificant my work is: I encourage small groups of people to move and breathe mindfully, and to be present in their bodies. Important work, sure, but sometimes it’s hard to feel like I’m doing enough. I have no direct control over laws or legislation; I do not give inspiring speeches in front of huge crowds; I haven’t published any important books or articles… In the grand scheme of things, my impact is extremely small.
But of course, it’s not about one person’s job, or one person’s impact, alone.
When I think about all the people I have met, however - my yoga community, my frisbee community, my improv people, my family - I am reminded of just how much we mean to each other. I am reminded that to me, all these people are extremely significant.
I remember one of my first yoga teachers saying, “If something hurts, back up, and try again, more gently.” At the time, this was absolutely revolutionary advice.
I remember one of my first improv teachers telling us to, “Be changed by what you hear.” He was talking about the scene we were doing, but I could not help but immediately think how relevant it was to life.
I remember a friend once tell me that I should not confuse an “imperfect” relationship for an “unhealthy” relationship - that perfection is the enemy of connection and presence. Again, revolutionary.
I think about these moments now, and how, in the grand scheme of things, they were so simple, so small, so “insignificant.” But to me, they meant, and still mean, so much. They have impacted the way I practice, the way I teach, the way I communicate, the way I view relationships… There is no doubt that these moments, small though they were, had an extraordinary impact.
So I suppose what I’m saying is this:
If something is meaningful to you, it is meaningful. If something impacts you, it has an impact. And often times, it is the small, simple moments between people that affect us most.
If you are in Portland this weekend, and are in the mood for a small and simple moment, I would love to see you at Community Kirtan. We’ll sit together, sing together, and with any luck, leave feeling just a little more connected than when we arrived. (And if you want to read more about how much I love this practice, you can read this post I wrote.)
We’ll gather at 7:30, sing until 8:30, and then hang out and drink tea until we feel like going home. Feel free to bring a friend or your family (even your kids, if you think they’d enjoy it!). Cost is by donation.
Take good care of yourselves and each other; and don’t forget to let yourself be taken care of, too.
Sending you all so much love,
Abby
Upcoming Events w/ Abby:
