Connecting and Belonging

This newsletter's theme is belonging. Where do you feel connection and belonging, especially in this time of physical distancing and massive employment loss? I remember learning about the decline of community in Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam back in the 1990s. I remember learning about Blue Zones from my mother who started Beacon Hill Village which inspired the Village to Village Network. Replacing the breaking meta-narrative of "othering" with belonging is paramount if we're going to change the structural inequities of our world.

Since the mid-1990s, I have focused on 5 domains essential for balance, health and wellness. They are the Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual and Civic domains of life. Where do you feel connection and belonging in the 5 domains, especially in this time of physical distancing? Below I describe two of the five domains where a sense of belonging is present in my life. These communities buoy me and condition my resilience muscles especially needed during this pandemic. You're invited to join them if you're interested.

Physical: Since 2012 I have been a committed member of Change Your Body Boot Camps. 8 years ago I would've never thought my physical health would be grounded by bootcamp. I am a former dancer and yogi, but bootcamp and for 8 years? Mike and my bootcamp friends provide connection, a feeling of belonging and physical wellness several times a week.

Do you have a community to help you sustain your physical health as you age? Would a community dedicated to your physical health support you?

In this time of physical distancing, we meet live virtually from Mike's home to ours. Now it's possible no matter how far away you live to join us. Connection, belonging, and a good workout? All from home. Reach out to Mike if you're curious about joining us. As someone who also knows the power of yoga, JP Centre Yoga is offering live virtual classes as well.

Spiritual: I have studied and practiced Buddhism, Yoga and other spiritual traditions for many years since my young adult life. Surprisingly my Christian faith tradition has been healing for me as well. I joined Trinity Church Boston in 2001 because I detest the way Christians oppress others in the name of God. I needed to release the spiritual dissonance I felt as a Buddhist and Yogi as I never felt a sense of belonging in my own culture's religious roots. The only way I could figure out how to embrace my Christian heritage was to ground it in faith-based institutional anti-racism work. So I, along with other parishioners, started Trinity Church's Anti-Racism Team. I would never have predicted that I could feel a sense of belonging in the Episcopal church, but I do. During the Covid 19 epidemic, virtual church is rockin'! We sing hymns, listen to good sermons, drink home-brewed coffee (better than our church's coffee!) all from home each week. For Christians and Jews, this is holy week. If you are looking for spiritual belonging of the Christian persuasion today, this weekend and beyond, click here.

How are you anchoring yourself in the 5 domains of life?
Where do you feel belonging during these times?

Inspiration & Innovations

The COVID-19 crisis shines a spotlight on how egregious existing inequities are in our individualistic, capitalist society. For a long time, I have been asking myself, "What does it mean to lead an equitable life, to dedicate my life to the pursuit of racial and economic equity?" Given the global public health pandemic and the economic crisis our species is facing, it is even more pressing now to answer this question and act in all domains of life.

For those of us who have more than enough, what choices can we make to prioritize collaboration, give up more, redistribute resources and make decisions centering the principles of enough: "What is enough?" and equity. I am interested in what you're thinking and doing. Send me your thoughts and what you do to live the principles of equity and enough.

What's inspiring you? Shifting our perspective to inspiration is key during crises and stressful times. Today's inspiration will make you laugh. Watch this 45 second home video response to "sheltering in place". Laughing is a powerful antidote to fear and anxiety.

What's an innovative intervention you have come across lately to pursue equitable outcomes? One way people are addressing inequities is to give money directly to people who need it most, as quickly as possible. The volunteer-led SURJB Emergency Fund is raising and distributing money directly to Boston residents. Sometimes taking a network vs. an institutional approach maximizes impact. Please donate.

A way to deepen connection locally is to join Nextdoor. This social hub organizes neighbors to make requests and offer support. Nextdoor connects us to each other locally and enables us to create collaborative, interdependent neighborhoods.