Dear readers,
How are you doing today, dear hearts?
There is quite a bit happening right now in our political world, both national and local. From my legal perspective, we are experiencing what is called an "administrative coup." A coup is a hostile, undemocratic takeover of the government. Not only does a coup create the deep discomfort of upheaval, but it also can create a psychological or spiritual terror, especially for those of our community and neighbors who are more vulnerable to the harms of racist and hateful language, but also to those who have committed their professional lives to advocating for lands, living things and all Peoples. What can be done? In today's newsletter I will not be providing you with a prescription for how to engage with these realities, but I will offer some invitations to support you. This is an important topic for Modern Matriarchs because it is critical that we tend to our emotional well being and stress responses so that we can continue to be present and aware of our surroundings, both at home and in the larger community.
On a personal level, this past two months, I have been needing to support a close family member with some significant health issues. Because of her treatments, her biome is pretty damaged. While a biome is often defined as the biological communities that make up a greater environment, we are also now better understanding the world of biological communities within our bodies as well, such as the gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that reside in the human digestive tract. I have come to see the strong parallels in the challenges with my loved one's microbiome, of her personal ecology, and that of the larger global biome, that we know as the living beings of Mother Earth. How well I can tend to my personal biome, is also how well I can tend to the greater biome. Personally, I have held both of these intense experiences to the degree I can, depending on my energy resources at the time.
What I have been learning is that it is highly critical for me to look within my body to do a biome checkup and to provide nourishment and support to myself and my family, as much as it will continue to be important to also speak my truth, advocate for others, and support all of the humans I am lucky enough to have in my life.
I offer this story to you as you consider how you spend your time each day, time being such a precious resource. Until the next time I write here, I want to let you know that we still have a few seats open in the book club that starts next month, and I'd love to support conversations like this with you and others. Join us if it feels supportive.
With love,
Maija
Also, for some inspiration, listen in on the recently released song by Lyla June and Desirae Harp, Native Women:
