January intentions

A slow start. A fresh start. A restart.

For many, January is filled with new possibility. Only a baker’s dozen days into this new year, we’ve watched new tragedy unfold (and still unfolding) out in California. It’s absolutely shattering. As is all devastation, whether by the arms of nature or the hands of man.

My original intention this month was to ask you to go inward. I am still calling for that, but with the caveat that we do not forget nor forsake our neighbors. I have always viewed the entire earth as my home. I come from Brooklyn, but no land should feel strange under my feet. I want us to remember our humanity. I am stunned by the level of callousness on display online. Not in my circles, thankfully, but this odd idea that LA of all places is a playground strictly comprised of the rich so they don’t deserve our empathy, our resources, our compassion, our energy. It’s a bizarre way to live. It is inhuman. It is reminiscent of how people react to tragedy in the global south. It is a mirror for the soullessness of mankind. Too many zombies walk the earth.

What is required from us in all times, but especially fraught times? Our service. We help our neighbors in any way we can. This doesn’t mean that financial donations are the only way to help. We share resources. We give our time. We need to learn to open up space in our lives and hearts for one another more effectively.

I can’t say with certainty that the people reading this believe in life the way I believe in it, but it’s also my duty to show more of myself so that we know if we are in alignment. There is nothing radical about being individualistic. Community care cannot happen without community.

May every good thing that is meant to touch you this year do so. May every lesson earned be well learned. May we all make the space or more space to care and take good care of one another. We are working on a resource list for very many things, and will share that when it’s ready.

I guess what I want to leave you with is what I’ll be meditating on myself:

• Where am I most useful and how do I share my abilities?

• Am I showing up in the world the way the world requires me to be (this is void of ego)?

• How am I tending to myself in times of crisis? How am I tending to my neighbor?

Also, if you haven’t already, join our community over on Slack. It’s open to all subscribers, free and paid. I just posted this week’s community voice note and we’re working on some things that require your input.