So this week is here.

The image for this article was AI generated. And the juxtaposition between the title, Three Points of Contact, and the image of the human leaping and not having a single bodily connection with the land/rocks/mountain, was AI-ccident, but then I really liked it. So here it remains.

I like it because, for me, it helps highlight the choice we have in this moment. While I so want to feel free and leap and enjoy flight over rocky terrain with a gorgeous ocean to my left, it's just not f'ing safe. The fall feels very close, very real.

So instead of doing what I feel like doing, which is hiding under covers on my couch reading romance novels and eating nachos, I'm choosing to scramble over those f'ing scary rocks.

Why? Because the pain of scrambling over those f'ing scary rocks is less painful than doing nothing.

Ah, the familiar song of cognitive dissonance. A consummate traveler with me on this journey of life and MVP of fueling my most brave moves.

So, let's be smart about our actions here. Whether hiking, rock climbing, white water rafting, guides always include: "Always maintain three points of contact." Why? Because it's safer when traversing unpredictable, powerful terrain. This practice allows you to be as secure as possible while still using an available limb or so to keep you moving, engaging.

[Blah, blah, blah, Beth ??... get on with it.]

For me, running has always served as a helpful point of contact as I move through the tougher times in life. So that's one.

Last week two additional points of contact came into my life, unexpectedly, and I'd like to share them with you.

First:

I've been following the work of Afdhel Aziz , Bobby Jones , and their company Conspiracy of Love for some time now. Last week they released their newest book out into the world: Good is the New Cool Guide to Personal Purpose - Designing a Meaningful and Prosperous Career.

I read it when it arrived on Monday of last week in order to be fully engaged in the launch event last Tuesday. During that launch event, Lindsey Roy reminded us that we have to hit the pause button to reflect and create from intention , Aaron Mitchell modeled being the positive ripple effect in moving cash into Black bands, Tru Pettigrew challenged humanity by looking at the three types of empathy, and Kim Culmone shared how she met resistance (over and over) with curiosity.

Side Nerd Note: For me, someone who simultaneously engages with the content of events AND observes the impact of an event's design, structure, and sequencing, I felt inspired, challenged, reflection, and energized by the 1.5 gathering. ?? So, when Conspiracy of Love hosts another event, I encourage you to attend. Take notes, but also allow yourself time before and after to be in an undistracted, calm, and open mindset. You are also always an active part of learning design experience outcomes. ??

But why has this book, and the accompanying launch event become a point of contact for me this week? Because it asks the questions that get me answering truths about myself that don't change whether Harris or the rapist/racist wins. [I said what I said.]

It's 183 pages. There are workbook-esque questions. So I encourage you to get a hard copy and write in it. Or if you get a digital one, get yourself a journey to write in while you read. It's worth it. I'm a professional teacher and learner...I literally have a Ph.D. in this shit.

Towards the end of the book, you're led to create a Two-Word Purpose Statement. It's not easy to do, but Aziz and Jones guide you to it, so long as your willing to show up honestly and with integrity. It took me some time to finally arrive to mine...as it should, right?

Mine is: Joyful Agency.

Once you engage throughout the book, I hope you'll share yours with me.

Second:

On Wednesday of last week, I hosted the monthly WeTheChange meeting where the topic was, "Democracy Resilience: Navigating Our Political Anxieties." Our fabulous speakers were Lisa Geason-Bauer, Trained B Consultant , Kimberly Flood, ICF-PCC , and August M. Ball . In addition to a wealth of resources and tools to use as we individually and collectively navigate this week and beyond, it was a poem (isn't it always the art ??) that provided a stronghold to anchor into, that needed point of contact to who I am, who I want to be, and what I want for our nation, for our world, for humans.

To my knowledge the poem, entitled Freedom Needs Your Focus, written and read by August M. Ball isn't public. But I know several audiences over the past few months have been lucky enough to hear it, as its beauty and strength has been referred to by many within the B Corp community.

So my takeaway for you from this WTC it is two-fold:

1. Lean into the poem's title: Freedom Needs Your Focus.

Do this: Define freedom. Then, identify what you need to focus on in order to bring us collectively closer to freedom. And finally, commit to that focus, everyday. Let your actions tell the story.

2. Find and engage with art that moves you. Prioritize being with the art that makes you feel, reflect, commit, and act.

Do this: Visit a local art museum. Walk your city. Listen to music. Attend the theater. Go to the cinema. Dance. Dance. Dance. Read poetry, novels. Write. Paint, draw, make a mess. Make it colorful. Allow yourself to feel and be and create.

Okay, this article has gone on longer than I'd intended, but here we are.

I'll leave you with this quote I'd long admired, that is also in the Personal Purpose book:

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what brings you alive. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman, American author and philosopher.

Lets allow ourselves to come alive, stay alive, rest and tend to our aliveness, and maintain three points of contact to our humanity through this week of all weeks.

Cheers and 'til next time, I wish you joyful agency.

Beth