It can be so easy to be overwhelmed by the suffering present in the world today. We awaken every morning to a new nightmare. Wars and mass shootings and unthinkable suffering of our human family, inflicted by other humans. The images of this, on top of the knowledge of the deep suffering of those around us in day to day life, and our broken systems failing so many.
It can be so, so easy to be brought into a place of despair and hopelessness. It is so easy to fall into a pattern of thinking that any good you try to do doesn’t matter in a world so overwhelmed with pain.
In those dark spaces, I turn to those who have found a way to face the pain with open eyes, full awareness, without turning away, and remain open-hearted and hopeful, while affecting real change in the world. Valarie Kaur is one such inspiration. She is a civil rights lawyer, Sikh activist, filmmaker, and the author of See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love.
She recently shared her words, spoken recently about how to turn our pain into loving action, together with art by Jennifer Bloomer (@radiciststudios). It is exactly the call we need right now.
Valarie’s message welcoming those to her community on her website (https://valariekaur.com/) provides context for anyone feeling overwhelmed by current events. It makes sense that you struggle to find meaning in the senseless suffering that we witness constantly. We are not meant to explain it. We are meant to cultivate sparks of joy and peace and gratitude in our own worlds, and join together with other souls to lift up collective human consciousness.
“This is a place for anyone who feels breathless. Your breathlessness is not a sign of your weakness; it is a sign of your bravery. It means that you are awake to what’s happening right now: The world is in transition. Out of this darkness, we have a chance to birth a new world — a healthy, multiracial, and sustainable future. But we need you to last. Your life matters. Your voice matters. You have a role to play. This is a place to nourish and equip you. Here you will find tools to practice revolutionary love — love for others, opponents, and ourselves — to transform the world around you and within you. It’s a practice that offers longevity, resilience, and joy. It begins with wonder.”
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