the shape of me

Because I am feeling feelings that seem too big for something that is so small, to write about it is a way for me to try and make some sense of these moments. Perhaps I am seeking reparation, reconciliation, release. 

Take a woman in the prime of her life. She's got her job, partner, house, kids, staff, parents, grandparents, relatives, friends. They all love and support her generously and well. 

Is she greedy for more? Does she possess personal independence? What inspire and motivate her? What does she fear? What is her self talk? Does she argue for her limitations? What are her cares and concerns? 

some limited conventional body shapes

Is she grateful and if so, about what? Who? Why? What does she lack in life, if any? What is it? How does she feel because of this? Is she even aware of any of these? Or is she too distracted in the creation and management of her kingdom? 

How does she perceive or give? Is she allowing or judgmental? How does she receive or learn? Is she engaged or resistant? When challenged, what happens? Fight? Flight? Freeze? Collapse? 

How does she nurture and nourish herself - within and externally? Is she overly dependent on others? Too eager about what others think of her? Too invested in how she may appear? 

What is her energy like? Big or small? Devouring or depleted? Consuming or captivating? Benign or malignant? Appealing or appeasing? 

Self centered or selfish and if so, in what ways? Self aware or self conscious? Magnificent or mediocre? Marvelous or meek? 

The call of action is to consider that inclusion might mean including people and places that we don't know, understand, or agree with - passively or fiercely. When we stop focusing on our positions and start focusing on our interests, on our issues, and the things that we are trying to solve together, we might just get to those solutions.

We get so focused on our positions and we don't talk about what our common interests are. This has been an amazing conversation - we are getting to know each other personally and, hopefully, get to work together more. 

Women are far from equity opportunities in our country and the world. Where it shows up the clearest for is in rural places, where the clearest path forward is in ways that won't divide us upon social lines. 

In rural-urban diversity and rural-urban inequity it is most obvious. Be encouraged to become rural curious and encourage others to become so as well. Ultimately, maybe become rural active even. 

What is going on there? What are we up to here? Where is the opportunity for us in this work? To work hands on, hand in hand - in solidarity.