CONNECTION + COLLECTIVITY
rebel with care 1 (an iteration)
(this is an iteration of the recent newsletter i sent out)
“To the world who only wants me to harden… I will only become softer.
In the face of callousness, I rebel with care. To the world who wants me to become harsh, jaded, or reactive, I am hospicing your (our) dying world and co-creating softer worlds. I will let this enchanting world tenderize me."
- Pinar Sinopoulos-Lloyd
These bright words by Pinar Sinopoulos-Lloyd found me this morning through a message from colleague and wise woman, Erika Tourell. I read through Pinar’s words a handful of times and each reading was another layer of homecoming.
Yes! This!
I know this tenderizing, this life long soul-feasting through enchantment. I also know this softening, this slackening through grief tending, and through being with the “harsh, jaded & reactive” ones with me…they are all doorways to caring, to softening.
Caring now, in these times of chaos & collapse is; an act of rebellion, a remembered language, essential, and both private + collective. It is practiced over and over. Often awkwardly, imperfectly, ongoingly.
At this time, for me, this looks like even deeper listening (the practice of a lifetime) into my body & my nervous system - my sensitive, easily overwhelmed, wild emo-bio-psychic sensorium of a body, being.
I notice the soft places in me. If I can’t find any, I soften my jaw, then my tongue, then my forehead, my brain. Then i soften my belly, gluts, thighs, my pelvic floor. I become as slack as possible. It feels good to be soft, I feel more alive and resourced after doing this consciously, consistently, on purpose.
I’ve started doing this each morning and again in the late afternoon. It might take 1-3 minutes and it’s one of a handful micro-rituals helping build my capacity & stay more regulated throughout the day.
Knowing what helps and support your nervous system is key. Then take (just) 1-3 minutes a couple of times of the day to practice that thing or two.
Then try it with another - there’s so much juicy capacity building in literally & consciously softening sensorially into trusted and safe ‘other’ bodies; fur babies, beloveds, newly leafing trees, soil after rain, the smell of lilacs and robin’s singing. We can help each other soften. There is a community of care all around to connect and build capacity with collectively.
What is the softest part of you now?
How might you spread that?
Who might you soften into? On purpose.
Other consistent-yet-fluid, balancing, capacity building micro-rituals might be; stretching and/or shaking your body, massaging your ears or hands, smelling something lovely, listening to sounds/music that sooth, and/or feeling your body breathing.
Wishing you soft rebelliousness and connective caring spreading like a helpful virus, building capacity together!
Thank you for your attention here!
Yours in the ongoing,
Tracy
SUMMER EXPLORATIONS into connection & collectivity:
TRE® CLASSES: TRE stands for tension/trauma release exercises and is a universal somatic ( body-based ) healing modality & practice that can help release tension, stress & trauma from our bodies by activating a shaking/tremor response. This tremoring release process is inherent in all mammals, though has often been conditioned out of humans’ experience.
Regulate your precious nervous system with me 1:1 or in group classes, in person &/or virtually. Email me for more info, and/or join my TRE mailing list.
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WE ARE CYCLICAL - The Moon as Medicine: June 24 | Sweet Fern Apothecary - Washburn WI | 6:30pm
We are Cyclical Beings - The Moon as Medicine is an emergent workshop exploring the cycles of the moon through lore, somatic practices, meditation & reflection allowing for a deeper relationship with the Moon’s cycles and your own cyclical nature. The Moon is an ancient ally offering cyclic wisdom to nurture change and transformation in our lives. More info and register here.
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THE WILD WITHIN: July 19 | 10-4:30
THE WILD WITHIN is an experiential & immersive day retreat for women identifying folx who are called to come together on a summer’s day, exploring tending the wild inside through somatic practices, storytelling, creativity, collective care & just being.
The primary energies & intention for the day are slowing down, embodied listening, being/caring alone/together, resting into the cycle of life, reflection & regeneration.
A light mid day meal is included. Guided and facilitated Tracy Chipman with guest facilitation by Yazmin Bowers.
Can you slow your body, quiet the mind to listen to the wild within?
More info & REGISTER here.
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Silver Apples of the Moon. Golden Apples of the Sun - stories of harvest:
July 30 | 6:30 - 8pm | Kinstone, Fountain City WI
Please come gather together in the threshold of Lughnasadh/Lammas with the land in celebration for the harvest with Wisconsin storyteller, Tracy Chipman.
Registration up soon. Space is limited and we suggest you register by 7/20. $20/person
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Rooted Expression - A Creative Retreat for Writers & Artists: August 1 - 3 | Keewaydin Farm Viola WI
Gather together for this co-creative, in-person, immersive weekend retreat for writers and artists who are curious about nurturing their connection to the land and infusing the inspiration of the natural world into their expression as writers and artists.
We will collaborate with guest writers and artists to draw on their passion, knowledge, and experience to present lectures, activities, prompts, hands-on learning, creative expression, and somatic experiences. Program will include poetry, prose, reflective writing, storytelling, hiking, gathering plants, creating botanical watercolors, creating plant impressions in pottery, somatic practices, and more.
*image from Waterperry Gardens Manor House, Oxford UK 8.2022