Happy Wednesday Reader!
Here's 1 teaching, 2 questions, and 3 resources to explore this week:
1. Teaching
How often do you feel pressure to respond immediately?
In our urgency-driven society, it can seem like there’s never time to take a breath, to move slowly, to pause for a moment, or – dare I say it – to enjoy a nap in the middle of a workday.
But usually…there is.
Christena Cleveland, a social psychologist and public theologian had this to say on a recent podcast:
And that has only harmed me because when I’m just rushing through, I just default to the capitalistic systems and to the fears.
But it’s funny, because nowadays probably the most common thing people on my team will say I say is, ‘we don’t have to decide right now.’
Because I want to try things on in my sacred Black feminine body.
Before we make decisions, I want it to live in my body for weeks, months at a time.
‘Sure, that’s a great idea. Let me try it on in my body and see how it feels carrying this idea around with me for the next week and we’ll circle back.’
Pause for a moment and let this teaching simmer within you.
What would it feel like to "try things on" in your body before making a final decision? What might you need to say to the people around you in order to create the space for that kind of full-bodied processing?
2. Questions
- How is this idea – of pausing, delaying, resting, taking a moment, "trying it on" – landing in your body? What hesitations, fears, and counter-narratives show up within you?
- What stories have you been told about what could happen if you slow down, take too long a break, or ask for more time? Are these stories true to your experience? How have these stories impacted your approach to life?
3. Resources
- “God is a Black Woman” with Christena Cleveland (podcast)
- God is a Black Woman by Christena Cleveland (book)
- "6 Thinking Hats" (decision-making process)
⏪ If you missed last week's email:
Sending you good vibes,
Andrew
P.S. I'm really excited to co-host the event below with my colleague Catherine Quiring. If it sounds interesting but money is tight, no worries! We're offering it on a pay-what-you-want basis.