A few days back, a tree frog spent the whole day sleeping on our garden gate.
True, they are nocturnal, so it wasn’t like they were taking a break from activities. Yet, I’d been receiving messages recently about slowing down and taking rest breaks: here was an eye-level note from Nature.
Resting: a message from the universe
I don’t tend to take naps. Nor do I give myself the luxury of spending hours reading during daylight. When I sit on the back deck and watch the forest and sky for any length of time, I scold myself for being unproductive. However, the last few weeks I tried something new: I was easy on myself about relaxing and moving slowly, about moving things off my schedule and doing whatever I felt like in the moment. Even if it was “nothing.”
Through a different lens, my typical style includes bits of perfectionism and urgency—characteristics of white supremacy culture. And a fair amount of “I have to do it all” (implying the world won’t turn without me). Slowing down allows me to be more mindful and aware, to observe myself as part of the interconnected world, and to remove productivity as a key measure of my self-worth. These are all antidotes to white supremacy culture.
Consider looking at the link, above, to the Dismantling Racism site based on Tema Okun’s work, which includes antidotes to white supremacy culture. I also acknowledge and benefit from my many friends who have participated in the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB) Undoing Racism training—something I have not yet taken myself.
Actually, I wrote the above about a month ago. Now it’s just past Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Long pause, indeed.
Even valuing slow time and putting my focus on one project at a time (writing, teaching, connecting), a dire sense of urgency crept in this past week as I’ve read reports on the accelerated projections for ecosystem collapse and the tipping point looming just ahead.
Slowing down when ecosystems are poised to collapse?
What privileges am I invoking by remaining in slow mode? Isn’t urgent action required of us all? I speak and write of solarpunk and similar systems that support mutualism, fossil-free systems, justice, and regenerative ecosystems. Isn’t that enough?
I don’t think so.
I grapple with this as I count my spoons (my energy level alongside some health limitations).
How is your energy this season? Where will you focus to aid the world? What passions drive you?
I hold this paradox:
- one person can change the world;
- no one is the only solution, the one savior.
Meanwhile, here is another message from Nature:
This female box turtle is poised to dig a nest to lay eggs. She tested several spots this morning.
She seems driven to find the spot to give her eggs their best chance for survival—a spot in the sun that won’t flood. One with diggable ground. Perhaps she smells or senses other factors.
In the same way, I suss out how I may be most useful to create a regenerative world in the face of dire warnings from scientists.
Where will I lay my eggs?
I’m composing a newsletter themed on Solstice. (Have you subscribed?) I hope to send it before I leave to teach at SpiralHeart Witchcamp in early July.
Fruitful Solstice, all! (Summer to my Northern hemisphere friends and Winter to my Southern hemi friends.)
May you discover the ways of slow time as well as where to lay your eggs for greatest effect.