Dear Ones,

“If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”  I’ve been thinking lately about the usefulness of this term that’s been so popular with activists.  And I think it’s possible, these days, that paying too much attention is counterproductive.  I recently read an article by Fen Druadin about the numbing effect of the bombardment of bad news we’re experiencing.  She reminded me that the overwhelm is intentional – that numb people aren’t likely to have the motivation or resources to push back against authoritarianism’s horrors.  And she reminded me that our attention can be selective enough to keep us informed while nurturing our resilience, mapping out a plan that she says can support compassionate action:

• Awareness: Know the atrocities are happening. You don’t have to know each and every one. You don’t have to scroll endlessly looking at them. Just know they are happening. Check: You are already aware.
• Care: Give a damn. You already do.
• Inner Clarity: Know who you are and what your role is and the next right step in opposing the atrocities and growing something new in place of the structures of oppression that lead to them.

I would add to this: Balance your attention to the news with your attention to the gifts you’re offered every day.  I’m listening to birdsong as I write this in the transition time between winter and spring.  I’m offering these words to a beautiful community I get to be part of (and so do you!).  I’m sitting in a warm home, sipping a lovely cup of tea, after getting in some morning play with my dog.  My body is working as it should, mostly.  My son is coming home for spring break soon, and we’ll do things that bring us joy as well as share about hard things in our lives.

In that spirit, I offer you a song I was introduced to recently from The Sanctuary Boston, a progressive spiritual community of vibrant worship and real connection.  The song is called “More of This,” and the music and images in the video crack me open in the very best of ways, reminding me of so many things in my life that I’ve found joy in paying attention to.  What a gift.

In faith and love, Karen