The micro is the macro.
Like many of you, I had hopes that Kamala Harris would win the presidential election. I went to bed Tuesday night feeling grim, but not willing to give up hope that Harris could win. When I awoke Wednesday morning to the election results, I felt incredible sadness, especially once I realized that Harris lost the popular vote too. I really thought the majority of Americans would vote for her, even if she did not win the electoral college.
Since last Wednesday morning, I have sought out people and places where I feel connected. I also have spent time in contemplation – meditating and journaling. I continue to listen to and to read words written by community organizers and thought leaders who are committed to social and environmental justice, community wealth building, global human rights, popular education, and participatory changemaking. In particular, I am paying attention to what women of color are saying and doing. (Contact me?if you want some recommendations.)
I am still processing the election results as well as holding space for others to do the same. I do not have any complete or easy answers. What I can share is that while I am gravely concerned about, if not frightened by, the changes to come as a result of the new president, I am not hopeless. I choose to believe in the power of a healthy community and I am committed more, now than ever, in cultivating and growing such a community.
I am just now soliciting classes and workshops proposals for the winter schedule. My goal for the Shakti winter calendar is to support the needs of the season (reflection, coziness, and care) and the need to foster community changemakers. Both needs will be reflected in the programming offered after the first of the year.
In the meantime I encourage you to check out the Spotlight section below and to come to any event that feels supportive. I love seeing more and more people attending Makerspace Open Hours. Being with others, making things with my hands, and eating good food (all things that happen during Makerspace Open Hours) have been good medicine for me, and I hope, for you too. Please note that Cleo is offering FREE chair massages during certain Makerspace hours. Check out the schedule for details.
I also encourage you to?contact me?if you want to attend the Wednesday night support group that Amanda Chapman and I are co-facilitating. Initially the group was started to support folks struggling with the impact of Hurricane Helene; however, if you are struggling with grief for any reason, then please email or call me about the group. Let’s make sure that the group is a good fit for your needs. If it is not, then I will make a referral.
Lastly I want to share an Audre Lorde quote from her poem “Bicentennial Poem #21,000,000.” This poem was brought to my attention by Alexis Pauline Gumbs: someone whom I listen to and learn a lot from. The Audre Lorde line is:
I know the boundaries of my nation lie within myself.
This line speaks to the importance of knowing and understanding yourself as you work toward creating the community in which you want to live. The micro is the macro. So within, as without. We are fractals of the whole.
As a result of this poem, I am sitting with the following questions:
As adrienne maree brown shares in her Emergent Strategy book, “Small is good. Small is all.” Begin with a small step. Let your knowledge and practice unfold one small step at a time – that is how we build community and change systems.
With love, Kim
Kim Bushore-Maki is a soul-driven entrepreneur who understands the undeniable urge to create a business and a life filled with meaning and purpose. Her vision of opening a center where people could heal and grow led her to open Shakti in the Mountains in Johnson City, Tennessee: a place where the creative, feminine energy is nurtured and valued.
Kim is a licensed professional counselor and a yoga teacher. She completed the Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy program as well as the Shake Your Soul Yoga Dance program. Kim is very interested in somatic expressive therapy, archetypal psychology, gardening, herbalism, astrology, wisdom traditions, and regenerative economics.
Kim continues to build and to support inclusive, vibrant communities. She spends most of her time mentoring leaders, guiding healing programs, and providing mental health counseling.
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