Supporting compassionate communities

After last week's federal election it feels like a great time to acknowledge Traditional Custodians, truth telling, the work of women and people of colour, and all those who are supporting compassionate communities.

Also, this week is National Reconciliation Week, a chance for non-Indigenous people to take responsibility for building stronger relationships with First Nations community.

I plan to continue the momentum of change by looking inward and taking small continuous action. I've been asking myself, how do I value the work of caring and compassionate action in my life? Do I even call it work?

I have a clear understanding of why and how I value hard work... the satisfaction of achievement and fair compensation, the joy of persistence, determination and team work.

But how do I value soft work... being reflective, thoughtful, considered? the mundane tasks of of caring for my body and other's? the time taken to filter out the noise of the world, to feel into my own opinions and to learn new ways?

Often this looks like an empty schedule. Or one scattered with health appointments, slow reading and listening, staying local, walking the neighbour's dog, writing a letter and posting it.

What is the value of this compared to seeing more clients and making more money? And if I can't recognise and value this care work within myself, how can I expect others to value it in me? Or our communities to value it in each other?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and stories about this; how do you value the (mostly unpaid) care work that you do?
 
On a lighter note, welcome to winter! Our little family loves this shift to shorter, colder days. We have been going on night walks, having moonlit dinners with friends and family, joining in community planting/ olive harvesting/ makers market days. And looking forward to some mushroom foraging and sitting by the fireside soon.

There is currently a spike in respiratory illness levels (including COVID) across Australia so please take care. Remember to stay home if you are sick and wear your mask indoors.

I hope you are able to balance all the change and seriousness of this month with some grounded fun and connection too.

Much love,

Emily