“Do not lose heart. We were made for these times… Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely…
I hope you will write this on your wall: When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for.”
Excerpts from Letter to a Young Activist During Troubled Times, by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D.
These are troubled times, a time of deep discord due to so many influences. Daily, we are assaulted with difficult news; it can register as trauma, grief and fear in our very marrow. It’s easy to be overwhelmed and think that our contribution might not be big enough. At the same time, it is a profound and exciting truth that the human spirit is growing in consciousness and capability. The current times and its challenges can inspire new forms of creativity, as well as the opportunity to rise to the occasion.
We were made for these times. We each have a part to play, and our one small part is and always has been the action that tips the scale in a more healthy, positive direction – for all of us. As with any significant social change, some of the boldest responses are quiet. We may discover a capacity to cook meals, care for others, plant gardens, or engage in a cleanup effort. Some may feel the call to paint, sew, sing, or write. The invitation we hear when we pause long enough to dial down the volume and listen to our inner wisdom might take us in life-giving directions we can’t yet imagine.
Come to sit with others as we aim to listen deeply, live congruently, and respond boldly.
Join us for inspiration and support as we come together to heal and grow on behalf of ourselves, our community, and this beloved Earth. After breaking bread together, we will meet for an hour and a half each month to listen deeply – to one another and ourselves – with the hope of strengthening our capacity to discover our calling. During this steady conversation, we will spend time in large and small groups, and using Courage & Renewal® Touchstones, poetry, reflection, and creative expression, we will engage in the inner work necessary to tune into our soul’s purpose.
What to bring: a journal and something with which to write; a mug and spoon for soup.
The Center for Courage & Renewal and its facilitators do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
