We All Belong.
Getting grounded and/or creative and/or productive
Hi,
I hope that you are well, finding your bearings, and well-connected to your support system. [Pressed for time? Invitations and resources listed below.]
WE ALL BELONG. I love this image and this idea. It’s from a poster at the Orca K-8 School in Seattle: agreements for how they tend to their community. Everything grows out of the first line: WE ALL BELONG. What would the world look like if we truly started from that premise?
In all honesty, I’m not sure. But I believe it’s a worthy goal, and I’m inspired by the vision of the Orca school community.
As I mentioned in my last note, as we navigate these uncertain times, I’m focusing on creating opportunities for people to shore each other up. With that in mind, I want you to know in your bones that you’d be most welcome at any/all of these virtual gatherings. (And if you know somebody else who could use any of these opportunities to get grounded and/or creative and/or productive, please feel free to spread the word. Thanks!)
An invitation to upcoming virtual gatherings:
B.Y.O.P. Virtual Work Parties start this Thurs:
- Bring Your Own Project and get stuff done. It’s amazing how much we can accomplish when there’s a thread of connection, parallel focus, and mutual inspiration. It’s energizing and humanizing to hear quick snippies about what other people are working on, and to celebrate progress.
- Four Thursdays in April, 10:30am – noon, PST (April 2, 9, 16, and 23)
Centering in Times of Uncertainty:
- Breathing and centering practices led by fantastic colleagues and facilitators Annie Von Essen and Erika Murcia of the Room Next Door.
- Two Thursdays, 4/2, and 4/9 @ 2pm PST.
Scribble + Jot Creative Coffee Hour Series:
- Lightly-facilitated and fun drawing exercises to give yourself a creative break and bridge the Work-From-Home isolation. Suitable for solo attendance, skills not required. And feel free to bring your ‘drawing associate’. (Can they write their name and draw a credible stick figure? Are you already sharing serving utensils and boxes of antibacterial wipes with them? They’re qualified for the job!)
- Four Tuesdays in April, 10:30am PST. (April 7, 14, 21, 28)
And while I’m at it, here’s some creative inspiration for laughter and tears:
I’m also focused on highlighting examples of creative inspiration that help us to express, feel, confront, experience, and connect. From laughter to tears and beyond, our world needs that right now. Creativity bubbles up in surprising and beautiful ways. It reminds us that we’re human, and we’re connected, and that’s worth celebrating.
- Tank and the Bangas: Human. I don’t even want to tell you why I love this song/poem or when I listen to it, because I don’t want to spoil it for you. (And if you haven’t seen their 2017 Tiny Desk Concert, check it out here.)
- The Stranger’s A Message to the City: “Continuing every day until the human condition improves, we’re presenting a message of hope to the whole city from someone who has a gift to share”. This one features cellist Nathan Chan’s piece “The Swan”.
- Stuck in the Middle with You, covered by Jimmy Fallon and The Roots in a virtual jam session.
- Taking to the Streets: protesting everyday annoyances. Sure, there are more important causes out there, but tell me that you don’t quietly agree with at least ONE of these courageous stances.
Please stay in touch:
- I’d love to see you at whichever of the virtual gatherings that’s the right fit for you. (And if you have ideas for other topics/formats/etc, please let me know.)
- If you’d like a sounding board for whatever leadership challenges you’re navigating, please reach out and let me know what’s on your mind.
Big thanks, more soon, and take care of yourself and each other.
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Sara Lawson is a consultant, coach, facilitator, and the creator of Gauge Leadership Lab (Bellingham Series starts October 9th, 2020; London series starts Oct 20, 2020; Seattle series starts on March 5, 2021). She is passionate about the role that mission-inspired companies and organizations have in strengthening communities. She also knows that leadership can be fulfilling AND frustrating, even for dedicated, skilled, and creative people. You can reach Sara HERE.
