Rolling Up Our Sleeves | Meditations For Ukraine | # 177

Today on "Everyday Magic for Ukraine," we consider the concept of work in Ukrainian culture and get busy doing what needs to be done in our own lives. Since it's human nature to procrastinate, we take time to acknowledge any feelings that might be getting in our way and bring compassion and support to our next steps.

Bring pen and paper (or your phone) and join us for a working circle where we clear out the cobwebs and prepare to be awesome!

Transcript

From Szémpiňada,

I'm Colleen Thomas.

This is Everyday Magic for Ukraine.

Today we roll up our sleeves.

Welcome to the Circle.

Welcome to Everyday Magic for Ukraine,

Where we honor Ukraine and we also practice self-care to stay strong as allies.

If you're new here,

Welcome.

I'm so glad you've joined us.

So to get us started today,

To get us focused,

Similar to last week,

I'd like to share a few words with you from theater artist Madeline Bongard,

Who is not of Ukrainian heritage,

But who is in Kyiv this month working on some really cool projects.

And one of the things she shared really spoke to me.

It was about the work ethic,

How work is just so central to what she's seeing happen in Ukraine.

So I'd like to share her words with you.

She says,

And then there's the working.

It's something that's rooted in everyone here.

Ukraine is a hardworking folk.

Since its second independence in 1991,

The first took place in 1921,

Just before the USSR swallowed it up,

The new generations have been striving towards one single goal,

To gain greater autonomy from its Eastern neighbor,

To democratize and rid itself as far as possible of post-Soviet vestiges,

To be resolutely modern while deeply cherishing its ancestral roots.

To achieve all of this while overcoming all of the difficulties encountered,

Ukraine has chosen work.

Personally,

I am amazed to see that,

To live it,

To feel it,

To see it unfold within me,

Because this Ukrainian spirit is not unique to Ukraine.

It's a human characteristic with which we are all endowed,

And which is a possible response for all of us in times of threats and attempts at destabilization and destruction.

So I'd just like to let that land for a second.

This work ethic,

This devotion to work,

To putting one foot in front of the other,

To rolling up our sleeves,

Is a human characteristic,

Which is a possible response in times of threats and attempts at destabilization and destruction.

And where do we see that now?

Yes,

We see that in a lot of places right now.

So today we're going to go through a simple process of noticing what needs to be done next and getting ready to roll up our sleeves and do it.

So one quick editorial note,

I suppose,

Before we begin.

If you normally just listen to these meditations and kind of let them relax you and wash over you,

Today see if maybe you'd like to give the modality a try.

And the only thing you need today is something to write with.

This could be a phone,

This could be a pen and paper.

And if that's not convenient because you're driving or you're walking or something,

Then I invite you to really think your answers to the questions out in your mind.

So to begin,

I invite you to notice where you are sitting or standing or lying and find the earth beneath you.

Really allow yourself to land here in circle with us and you can let all of those words that I shared with you already,

Just kind of let them go.

Find yourself here,

Make contact with your body,

Maybe make contact with your heart.

So the first step is to think of that thing.

What is that thing for you right now?

What is that next thing that needs doing?

This might be an advocacy thing like finding a rally to go to,

Maybe organizing an event to get folks together to call their representatives.

It might be something personal for you that you need to take that next step to continue to show up as an advocate,

Maybe making that doctor's appointment you've been putting off.

Maybe reaching out to someone you had a falling out with that's been kind of bugging you and getting in your way day to day.

What is a challenging thing for you?

Your next thing.

And the next step is to give yourself permission to inhabit that thing.

And to notice how it feels to sit in it.

Just notice,

Just before we do any work on it,

Just notice how it feels to even consider working on this thing,

Taking this next step.

So now what we're going to do is grab that pen and paper,

Grab your phone,

Your notes app,

Or just in your mind,

We're going to take three minutes and we are going to write down any emotions about this thing.

While you're writing down these feelings,

Just know that there is room for these feelings.

There is room for all of you and there is room for all of your feelings.

So just begin to write down what are the feelings you have about rolling up your sleeves to take this,

This action.

And just be really gentle with yourself.

It's fine that you have these feelings.

You're totally fine.

You're totally amazing.

Maybe take a few breaths to support yourself while you are writing these down.

There's no way to do this wrong.

We're just gently releasing and acknowledging these feelings.

We don't need to catch our breath.

Cast them out or vilify them.

We're really honoring them with respect right now,

Creating a bit of room to write them down,

To set them down,

To set them down in a place that is outside of us so we can see a little more clearly.

And we have about 30 seconds left.

Just see if there's any more emotions you've not already written down.

Again,

Anything in your way of taking this next step,

Anything that bubbles up in you when you think about doing this thing,

Taking this action.

Okay,

Good job.

So now if it's possible for your body,

If your body would like to maybe do a little shake or a little stretch just to acknowledge,

Acknowledge the body in all of this.

Okay,

So now we have written down the things that come up,

The emotions that come up when we think about doing this thing,

This maybe hard thing.

Now we're going to take another minute to write down how we feel about it now.

Now that we've kind of honored and released some of the emotions,

What do you think about the situation?

What's the issue?

What are some steps you've already taken to make it better?

So go ahead and write those down.

What is the issue that you're wanting to address?

What is the step you're wanting to take?

And how are you maybe already headed in that direction?

What's some work you've already put in?

And just being here,

Doing this work,

Considering this as work you've already done.

Okay,

About 20 seconds left to write down your thoughts.

Good job.

Maybe take another breath if you'd like.

And now the final phase,

And this is just something to do in your mind.

Now,

Figure out what is your next step?

We've released some emotions in your way,

And you've thought a little bit critically about the situation.

So now you know,

Probably,

What is your next step?

And what do you need to gather inside you and around you in order to be ready to take action?

Take that step.

Now,

When you're ready,

Imagine yourself taking that step.

And if imagining doing it feels a little bit shaky or unsteady,

Just imagine what would support you,

What will support you as you take that step.

This could be friends.

This could be colleagues.

This could be imaginary friends.

This could be spirit guides.

Think outside the box.

What will support you to take this step?

And I invite you to really see it happening.

Imagine yourself successfully doing the thing that needs to be done,

Successfully rolling up your sleeves and taking that next step.

And now,

All that's left to do is to congratulate yourself and love yourself up and get ready to step into your day,

Step into your night,

And move forward on a practical,

Physical level toward whatever it is you've chosen.

So as someone who sits in circle with you,

I honor your choice,

I honor your work,

And I honor this next step that you're going to be taking.

I honor that you've already taken it.

May we continue to support ourselves and each other in rolling up our sleeves and getting to work on the important things in our world.

May it be so.

Your presence,

Your energy,

And your heart make all the difference in healing our world.

Remember to breathe today.

Breathe and expand.

And I hope you join us again next time.

Please consider inviting a friend.