understand my tears 😭

I recently returned from an annual retreat.  Tired, head spinning with ideas, filled with gratitude and inspiration...spending time with this group of vulnerable, creative, mission-driven, funny and powerful women fills me up even if the travel leaves me exhausted. 🥱 

One of my "treats" of travel is watching movies on the plane.  When at home, I rarely take time to watch a movie, so the selection always includes something new.

This trip, I cried my way through a 3 hour flight as I watched "Origin" - a depiction of Isabel Wilkerson, her life, her love, and her international research revolutionizing our understanding of the central pillars of social hierarchies and intentional oppression.  

Just as her book uncovers the international parallels between Nazi Germany, slavery and Jim Crow in America, the caste system of India, and the way in which these are present in each culture today, the movie illuminates the power of loving connection and ways of finding a path through immense grief - hope out of hopelessness - and purpose through pain.

Fortunately, the French woman who was my seat neighbor had chosen the same movie, so she understood my tears!  😭😊🥲  

Sometimes, there are no words... 😶   

😶  There are no words sufficient for the pain and suffering inflicted upon whole populations.  😶 

😶  There are no words sufficient for the immensity of grief, loss, and mourning loved ones.   😶 

😶  There are no words, either, for the profound respect, appreciation, and gratitude I feel for changemakers... 💞

For people like Isabel Wilkerson, who channeled her grief into a sweeping reframe that integrates, challenges, and deepens our humanity and accountability... how we face the past to change and reclaim the present.

For people like the amazing women at the retreat...women supporting trans voices, empowering parents, changing workplace cultures, and building EQ in socially conscious leaders, to name a few...

For people like you.  YOU...who work so hard every day - despite the immense challenges and demands - to show up, to care for others, to call out injustice and call in change, and to sustain your best impact despite the depletion that sucks the very breath out of you.  

If you're like me, you renew hope out of hopelessness when you recognize the brilliance around you.  The many people applying their gifts and strengths to make an impact toward social justice.  The resilience, endurance, and capacity of the human spirit to persevere in love and uplift human rights.

Laughter, creativity, and being truly seen sure help a lot, too.  💞

The vision you are living into is valuable.  As are you.  Please take good care of your precious self.  

You matter.  You make a difference.  I'm so thankful you're here.