Dear Ones,

How long can you hold your breath? I wouldn’t recommend timing yourself on this one, but rather be reminded to breathe. Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Lower your shoulders. Unclench your jaw. Breathe in. Breathe out.

I was inspired by the words of my friend Rabbi Benjamin Barnett who spoke at a count-every-vote rally last night. He spoke about the awakening he has experienced over the last several months to the need for our fight – for justice, for the work of reparation, for dismantling systems of oppression. He pleaded with the crowd—to white people— don’t go back to sleep! Regardless of who the next president is, the work cannot stop. I know that based on the outcome, it will land differently in our bodies and in our souls; but it cannot change the course we are on to make a difference in the world we want to see and live in as beloved community. Our determination and fervor to transform our country must keep going – with our hope, with our love, with our breath.

Two places I have been going when I am trying to take a break from the news are linked here, the Sacred Pause from IMIrJ and the Keep Going Song 🙂

Faithfully,
Chris Craun+