into the blue- tenderness is the time
Good afternoon,
How are you? (I want to know how you are, please respond anytime you feel moved.) I'm well enough. I actually find it easier to be in a pandemic in the fall than I did in the summer. The mood of a pandemic is more cohesive with this time of year: harvesting to hunker down, turning in, and moving slower. Here, in New England, the foliage is so beautiful- I must be paying attention more than usual, and the sunsets- they are so dramatic. Usually I focus on the loss of light in October, but lately, I'm focusing on sunset as a reminder to get outside, and walk the sun down to witness the ever changing display of light, color, and clouds. The pandemic continues to remind me how important it is to stop striving to be a human doing, and settle into a human being.
Yesterday, while speaking to a dear friend, she asked, "What have we become?" We are all grappling/struggling with this question in our own ways. Tender is the word that comes to mind when I think about the state of our world, especially our country. We are so vulnerable- scared, uncertain, and grasping for control. Insecurities are deep and exposed; regression and lashing out are rampant.
Last Wednesday, 10 of us met via Zoom to discuss Isabel Wilkerson's new book, Caste. Reading the book was like cleaning the guck off of my glasses and seeing through clear lens' for the first time (I don't actually wear glasses, but it feels like an appropriate metaphor). On the other side of this heavy, enlightening read, my response is "duh, Georgia, how did you not see this clearly before?" It's hard work to change your perspective, harder to change a perspective that serves you in some way.
Most of you reading this come from a place of privilege. We have a moral obligation to use our privilege to help those born without it. I urge you all to read Caste as a step towards a better way (especially those of you who may be rolling your eyes at my plea). The book helped me understand where we are: in the midst of an identity crisis as a nation, and a spiritual crisis as a species. We have arrived at a crossroads: to carry on towards depletion of our Earth's resources and more distrust and rivalry between our peoples, or let go of old ways, and trust there is a better way, even if we're not sure what it looks like. We must have faith that everyone benefits when society takes care of each other.
Wilkerson quotes a man born to the highest caste in India: "It is a fake crown that we wear...My message would be take off the fake crown. It will cost you more to keep it than to let it go. It is not real. It is just a marker of your programming. You will be happier and freer without it. You will see all of humanity. You will find your true self." (p. 364)
I see the tenderness everywhere. I see it in our politics; I hear it again and again in my work; I feel it in my personal life with family and friends. Tenderness requires gentleness and attention; awareness, acceptance and action. I intend to embrace the tenderness within me and around me as a means to remind us of who we are, where we came from and our human potential. Watching the sun set and knowing with complete faith that sun will rise again tomorrow is a good place to start.
With love and tenderness,
Georgia
out of the blue 1026
This week is a regular schedule plus studio time today and tomorrow after class when you can ask me anything mat based (or not!).
Monday CAKE 9am | Studio Time 10am
Tuesday Blue Light Yoga 9am | Studio Time 1015am
Wednesday CAKE 9am
Thursday Blue Light Yoga 9am
Friday CAKE 9am
Please email me requests for our next Blue Light Book Club on December 17 at 630PM.
The new website is underway- the photos and logos are done and ah-mazing!
There is a Blue Light Collaboration brewing that will be released on December 1st.
Please help spread the Blue Light. Do you know anyone who you think would like to be part of this community? Forward them this email.
And please take the Blue Light Survey if you haven't already. It's the easiest way to for you to take what you like and leave the rest.