Do Not Obey in Advance

Two moose wait in the brush and aspens across from my campsite in the Bighorn Mountains during a road trip in 2023. This was right before one moose gave me a snort and a three step warning charge. Message received. I was able to hide out in my car until they carried on a half hour later.

It is time for us to channel the strength and conviction of moose.

We exist in the broader context of our society, local communities, and the time we live in. We can never fully separate ourselves from this atmosphere in which we reside. Even if we were to run off to live alone in the woods amidst lichen and fox, we'd have to consider what conditions led to that choice. What would we return to if we left those woods? The air from afar would still blow and drift into our wooded realm. Some may be able to distance themselves from the things they wish to run from, others do not have the privilege to be able to do so. This climate has a direct influence on our physical, mental, emotional, and relational health, and I see the effects it has on clients all the time.

The backdrop in which we are living is changing. We can all feel it. I've been listening to lots of folks lately; there are a lot of feelings and impulses. Some common themes: fear, anger, despair, exhaustion, confusion, disbelief, sadness, regret, hoping it will get better, a lack of desire or inability to pay attention to what's happening.

While we are always moving forward into the unknown, that is the nature of life, this unknown feels particularly precarious for many right now.

Like you, I do not know exactly how things will play out. Obviously, there are potentials that are out there, and we will see how things unfold. What I do know, is that each of us does have power and agency, and we can stand in that to help guide the direction we go (on a smaller and larger scale).

Suggestions for Navigating Through These Times  

Ground, Center, and Calm Your Nervous System
It is essential that we give ourselves space to feel our feelings when they come up, to air them out, offer yourself validation, kindness and compassion. It makes sense why you feel the way you feel given your experiences and what/who you care about. Even if there is a lot going on in your world, please try to find little pockets of time that you can take deep breaths and acknowledge what's there.

Practices that allow ourselves to settle help us get out of fight/flight (where a lot of us, myself included, have been lately), and into a more grounded, productive space. It makes sense why many have gone into survival, AND our actions, and words are going to be more effective if we can come from a more grounded, centered space.

The way each of us will need to navigate through the times to come will be different, because of our unique circumstances. Specific advice for some won't apply to others. Yet, if you are able to find that calm, regulated place within you, you will have greater access to your own inner knowing and guidance. If you check in regularly, you may find a pull to do certain things or reach out to certain people to help you find your way through.

If you don't already have go-to practices that help you check in with yourself, you might try: breathing deeply, meditating, doing yoga, journaling, receiving Reiki, walking in nature or looking at the clouds, doing an activity that gets you "in the zone" (music, movement, art, cooking, etc.).

Lean Into Your Community
We rely on others, and no matter how things play out we will need to give and receive support. Think of your values (i.e. love, truth, empathy, equity, freedom, respect, integrity, curiosity, etc). Who are the people in your life that share your values? Who can you turn to for a safe place to land, fill up your cup when you need a little more support and encouragement, and who do you want to provide care to in return? These might be people close to you like friends and family, but they might also be neighbors, community organizations, and maybe even strangers.

Some of us may already have a good support network, others might feel theirs is a bit sparse. Regardless of where you find yourself, how might you strengthen that web? Who can you reach out to? Deepen friendships or connections, initiate contact with someone you might have lost touch with, introduce yourself to your neighbor, or others at a local community group or store.

At this time that we are all feeling so divided, it is important that we remember each others' humanity. How can you call others in? How can you stay open-hearted? How can we create bridges?

Stay Engaged
Focusing on our locus of control helps us in remaining connected to our personal power. This suggestion flows from the last of leaning into community. Think of concrete ways that you can use your agency to feed the world you want to exist. Find one or two organizations with visions you align with to which you can volunteer, and/or donate. Aim to do so on a regular basis. Already involved? Are you able to up the ante in your time or monetary investment? Maybe you are able to invite others in? Do you have special skills, knowledge or privilege that might be of particular value and effectiveness right now?

Here are some ideas if you're looking for places to get involved: GSafe (shares an office building with us!), Sierra Club, SURJ, Planned Parenthood, your local food pantry, community center, child's school, or county park. Your local library is also a good place to see what is going on in your community and connect with resources. If you are motivated, maybe you create something of your own.

Also where are the sources where you can stay informed? Many folks have already been doing work that we believe in. We don't have to create from scratch by ourselves. Turn to the leaders and folks who are already doing the work, the ones who are well-acquainted with the terrain. Listen, learn, act accordingly.

That leads me to my final suggestion...

Do Not Obey in Advance
Timothy Snyder is a historian who has studied Europe, the Soviet Union, the Holocaust, and the rise and fall of authoritarian governments throughout history. With the threat of authoritarianism looming in the US, we have a lot we can glean from Snyder's teachings.

As Snyder says, authoritarian regimes are weakest at the beginning and end. This is where we are now. This is where we need to stay engaged so that this does not progress.

The first (of 20) lessons he shares is "do not obey in advance." Much of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. People will anticipate what these leaders will want, and offer that preemptively. This allows the leader to get away with more than they may have originally thought possible. 

So now, I ask you to use your voice, stay engaged, stay in your power, hold the line of your values.

To learn more about these essential lessons, you can read this short article, watch a playlist where Timothy describes the essence of each lesson, or read Snyder's book On Tyranny.

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To make it easier to contact my representatives (and so I don't have an excuse not to call) I've added them as contacts on my phone. You can find the info for your representatives here:

• Congress: 202-224-3121 (you'll be asked your zip code, and forwarded to your local representative)
• Senators
• House of Representatives

Making a call is easy, and only takes a couple minutes.

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Well, there you have it. This was a long one, but it all felt important during these times. If you stuck with me thank you. If you feel some healing work, meditations, or classes might help you, reach out! I'm here for you.

Let us know in the comments, what's helping you right now? Are there any causes that you are getting more involved in? Let's make that space a spot where we can share ideas and inspire each other.

Take good care of yourself, and each other,

Sarah