It’s Mutual
“You are going to have to learn to ask us for help.” These were wise words from my housemates.
I was living cooperatively in my early 20s. I kept putting off my turn to do the grocery shopping because I dreaded taking a week’s worth of groceries for 4 on the bus. To my housemates, it was ridiculous that I didn’t think to ask to borrow one of their cars.
At the same time, I was really struggling to figure out how to help others.
Compassion for the world that can’t find expression can turn inward to a kind of poisonous suffering, and yes, I was almost sick with frustrated compassion.
I had all the activist stickers, went to all the protests, did all the things. Still, I struggled with a sense of impotency and that I wasn’t helping on a significant enough level.
I recognize both these movements happening in our community now.
So many families have had to ask for help, repeatedly, and to an extent they never would have chosen.
For many folks profoundly concerned about their community, social media shares and yard signs only scratch the surface of what they wish to express and share.
Do you recognize yourself in any of this? How easy is it for you to ask for help from other people – even strangers? Do you feel able to find sufficient expression for your compassion?
These two movements are related. That’s a core principle behind the concept of mutual aid. We need to be able to help as much as those who are in need require assistance.
Realizing our mutuality gives tremendous fuel to the movement of giving and receiving. It widens our generosity and receptivity.
These past few months have given us all a glimpse of what living in greater mutuality could look like. And we could live into it even more.
Come explore the mutual nature of healing with me in the coming sessions of Grandmothers’ Garden. You’ll notice that most sessions are titled “Healing with…” because it is about both offering and receiving healing from different dimensions of our lives.
April 27: Healing with the Land
May 18: Healing with our Bodies: Ritual Dress and Everyday Clothes
June 15: Healing Our Spirit: Wisdom from Herbalism
Check out the full description of each session and register at this link.
Can you imagine how your life might feel different if you knew yourself as deeply cared for? Can you imagine the ease and strength that comes from having satisfying expression of your compassion?
Let’s cultivate these qualities together.
Love,
Emily