Inner work frameworks, practices, and questions – all in a five-minute read. Delivered to your inbox every Wednesday morning before you even wake up. Written and curated by Andrew Lang.
What Does it Mean to Be "On the Hook?": The Wednesday 1-2-3
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Happy Wednesday Reader! Here's 1 teaching, 2 questions, and 3 resources to explore this week: 1. TeachingWhat does it mean to be “on the hook?” The usual response sounds something like this: to be “on the hook” is to be responsible for something or someone. When we’re given a task at work, we’re “on the hook” for its completion. When we’re caring for toddlers at home, we’re “on the hook” for their safety. But what if being “on the hook” isn’t just about being responsible for something or someone? Instead, what if it’s an invitation to place ourselves in a position to offer the world our full presence and aliveness? The Tradition of Askıda EkmekIn Turkey, there is an ancient tradition known as “askıda ekmek” – or “bread on the hook.” Upon entering a local bakery, folks might see a hook on the wall where people have purchased and left behind an extra loaf of bread for the next person who might need it, but can’t afford it. It’s a cultural tradition of paying it forward. The bread is “on the hook” – sustenance for those who need it. So in the spirit of askıda ekmek, what if we saw ourselves – our gifts, our work, our purpose, our posture – as on the hook for our communities? Not as individuals attempting to be solely responsible for the collective (which can quickly translate to saviorism and paternalism), but as community members offering that which brings us aliveness and fullness to our communities? (In a sustainable, boundary-honoring way, of course.) Author and entrepreneur Seth Godin writes: By putting yourself on the hook, you’re performing a generous act. You are sharing insight and love and magic. And the more it spreads, the more it’s worth to all of those who are lucky enough enough to experience your contribution. 2. Questions
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⏪ If you missed last week's email:Hope all is well-enough with you, Andrew P.S. Is there a song lyric, quote, framework, or teaching from an Elder that has made a big impact in your life? If you're willing to share, I would love to hear it (and potentially pass it along!) Just hit "reply" and let me know! 🙂 |
The Wednesday 1-2-3
Inner work frameworks, practices, and questions – all in a five-minute read. Delivered to your inbox every Wednesday morning before you even wake up. Written and curated by Andrew Lang.
Hey Reader, A quick reminder to start us off 👇 Tomorrow night, Kimberly Novosel and I will be hosting our first “sweatshirt session!” If you’re feeling a bit exhausted by the world and want a few new practices for self-connection and staying soft, yet fierce, I hope you’ll consider joining us. Today's focus is on a concept used in family systems therapy known as the “transitional character.” This is someone who becomes a change-maker in their family lineage by refusing to pass down...
Hey Reader, I recently received an email from one of our Wednesday 1-2-3 readers sharing this super relatable challenge: “setting goals I can stay with over time.” Woof – me too! In my day job, I train teachers in a style of education known as project-based learning. And one of the things I talk most with teachers about is how we can emphasize “process over product” in our classrooms. (You can probably guess: I have a lot of critical things to say about standardized testing.) In other words,...
Hey Reader, Every minute of every day, we’re making decisions. (I know, I know – I wrote about decision making last week too.) Sometimes the decisions we make are fully grounded, well thought-out, and exude the energy we want to embody in the world. And sometimes…they aren’t. Instead, they can be reactive to what’s going on around us and unconsciously (and uncritically) informed by the under-the-surface movements going on within us. This week has been busy in my life (a new position at work,...