Hello, dear ones. Coming back to screens and social media after taking a month break, I don’t even know where to begin. Please bear with me. I’m sure my words will fall short. Are any words even enough right now?
Maybe I should start with the illumination of the deeper work I need to do as an individual, which is surely a process, an inside out job, one that doesn’t happen overnight, one that will largely be done offline. So many thoughts here. So many articles, petitions, videos, documentaries, podcasts, books, and open, raw, honest conversations. I know I don’t need to rehash these past couple weeks for anyone; this time has held many tears of anger, sadness, and exhaustion along with tears of hopefulness, sometimes both in the same minute.
The truth of how badly broken and corrupt our country’s systems are is HEAVY – the pandemic and George Floyd’s murder have forced this into the light like never before.
There are so many layers here and if we’re not careful to take our rest, to find lightness, laughter, joy, strength, take a breath of fresh air, and find healthy outlets for which to process all that’s happening, it’ll plow us down, HARD and fast. I’m reminded daily that I cannot sprint a marathon. I’m reminded how important it is that we actively take care of ourselves and each other – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. How we need the healing balm of nature now more than ever.
As intense as the world is right now, I’m hopeful that enough people across the globe are fed up TOGETHER. That it’s enough to realize and sustain the radical change and reform we so desperately need. The long, horribly overdue change BIPOC deserve.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to do my part and to get to experience this in my lifetime.
Meanwhile here are some of the questions I’m asking myself… you’re likely asking yourself too… as part of this imperfect process. What’s my lane? As an individual? As a business owner? As a ___________? How can I best use my gifts and strengths to advance a more equitable and socially just world? What/where/how can I do better? Also, in what ways have I done well being ANTI-racist and should continue?
I’m grateful to those who are speaking up and elevating black voices through their respective platforms. This is helping me with the inside work, to really lean in, to listen better than before, to have a perspective other than my own, to really hear BIPOC speak their truth, to give witness to their pain, fears, their hopes and dreams…. I believe that’s where healing begins, individually and collectively (we’re all connected, aren’t we?). I regularly watch this healing happen in my 1-1 consults. And in my own life. God, we all need to be seen and heard. I want to do better here.
While the world is on fire (literally and figuratively), know that Pure Roots remains an open, loving, healing, inclusive space for all to be nourished, mind, body, and spirit; a place where people can come just as they are, where they are, without judgement or shaming. A place to cultivate wellness, joy, and resilience. To learn some basic cooking skills so you all know how to feed yourselves 🙂 This is what you’ll continue to see on this feed. Including terrible kitchen dancing and mountain views, sugar cleanses, tips on how to get a good night’s sleep, sourcing locally grown food and how to build habits that stick.
And finally, I’m sharing one of my personal favorite quotes from Maya Angelou; her wisdom has mothered my heart for many years. I find her words here give me the power to forgive myself for how I handled something in the past, to hold myself accountable to know better, and to get busy doing better. I hope we can all hold each other accountable and offer each other grace as we do this TOGETHER.
Much love, Shelly
