The Justice Walk Travelog - February Walks 2024

February Walks 👟

February 12, 2024

Leadership support rooted in equity and justice

A narrow, snow-covered bridge crosses a small stream, leading to a path through leaveless trees. There are stones in the water that are also snow-covered.

Wintery walk through The Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary

of the Connecticut Audubon Society.

I recently posted the following in LinkedIn:Here's the thing...I'm not o.k.I'm safe.But I'm not o.k., you know? I'm really struggling with my mental health.I have my supports. I know my tools.I know that anxiety and depression are part of who I am.I know I need to ride this 🌊 and that this peak will eventually subside.I know that all of the isms - white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, etc. etc. feed on, glory in, and work hard to enhance my anxiety, depression, and sense of unworthiness.Knowing is different from being able to feel and live into the truth of the intellectual knowledge.I'm doing the things:I'm letting people know I'm not ok so that they can support me.I'm paying attention to staying hydrated, eating in ways that are healthy for me, getting outside, and spending time with my nibblings.Today I even a sang and danced along to a Missy Elliot song while I was driving. (I can neither sing, nor dance)I'm taking my steps one at a time.I may be on here a little less for a bit as I prioritize what gets the time and attention I have to give to "non essential things."(If you see me on here a lot, you are allowed to message me to ask "is spending time on Linked In the best choice you could be making for your holistic wellness right now?")I share this - a little tremulously - to continue to normalize not being ok.I share this because I have privileges that allow me to safely, publicly name that I'm not ok.I share this in solidarity with all of the people I've talked with this week who also said they are not ok.Let's go easy on each other, friends. I appreciate how thoughtful and supportive folks have been in response (many of you probably reading this now)! I'm closer to O.K. now than I was when I wrote this. Today at least. That's the thing about mental wellness, or grief, or countless other aspects of being a person. The weight of the load we're carrying every day is different.To those familiar with Christine Miserandino's "Spoon Theory," I'll say that I consistently had more spoons this week than I did last week. I'm not quite back to my "normal" daily spoon number. If you are not familiar with Spoon Theory,

.I reiterate, let's go easy on each other.  And, as I was gently reminded by more than one person, let's go easy on ourselves.Walk on.

A black squre with Scene On Radio Stacked upon each other in the middle. Scene and Radio are white. On is within a white rectangel with rounded corners in red letters with a red dot to the left to indicate the signs above a recording studio that let us know recording is happening.

is a terrific podcast.  Their most recent season, Season 6,

"tells the story of the only successful coup d'etat in U.S. history, and the white supremacist massacre that went with it."This coup and massacre happened in Wilmington, NC in November, 1898. I'd never heard about it until this podcast came out last month. We bury the evidence of our national allegiance to white supremacy very deeply in this country.The series also tells the story of Wilmington, NC before the coup, and the wide diversity of cultures represented through all levels of society and leadership in that community that, through its port, was connected to cities and countries around the globe. I'm learning about Black leaders, thinkers, politicians, and activists who's names I'd never heard before.Obviously, I highly recommend it.Bonus recommendation:If you haven't heard Scene on Radio's

, consider giving that a lesson. Those episodes are some of the foundational building blocks of my unlearning and re-learning journey to understand how whiteness was created and weaponized. Knowing means I can see how it operates and intentionally work in opposition.The hosts talk about hard subjects in ways that are accessible, compassionate, and invite you in rather than call you out.Give either season a listen, and if you want to chat about anything you hear, let me know.

Shared without further comment, with thanks to Adam for finding it.

Quick reminder to follow me on Linked In - button below.Have a question? Drop me a line at [email protected]

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