Welcome, Spring!
Today marked both the first day of Spring and my first weekday without a job. It's hard to believe we'll be leaving Portland in less than two weeks! Wheeeeeeeee!!!
There are so many topics that I want to write about and share with you as we prep for this adventure. The top three on my mind at the moment: 1) The intersection of white privilege and hiking, 2) What I'm looking forward to and what I'll miss, and 3) How we're leaving for a big (mostly) off-the-grid adventure while our country flounders. Quite the understatement: there are so many potential blog posts to write. And those are just the ones I'm thinking about before the adventure even begins! As a self-proclaimed "doer" with high (often unreasonable) expectations for myself, I'm trying my best to write what I can without overthinking it. Many of you who know me well know that I could turn this little blog into a new full-time job. Easily. Tryin' not to.
So for now, in this blog, I want to thank you for your support and share more about why I love The Breathe Network and ways you can help instead of (or in addition to) donating!
I've been so blown away by the outpouring of love, support and generosity since launching my website and fundraiser on my birthday. We've already raised $860 since March 15! It's incredible!! I feel SO honored to have your support at this big moment and so grateful that you too believe in The Breathe Network's important mission!
To all of you donors (and "sharers," and "likers," and "followers"), your support is helping to connect survivors of sexual violence with trauma-informed, holistic, sliding-scale healing! And not only that - you're also supporting training and resources for survivors, their loved ones, and healing arts practitioners across the country.
One of the reasons I love The Breathe Network so much is that survivors can access the healing modalities that work best for them; there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing the body, mind and spirit after trauma. Hot yoga certainly isn't for everyone. Neither is seeing a therapist. Maybe someone finds healing in reiki, equine therapy, dance classes or massage.
There was a period of time that yoga classes gave me major anxiety - sitting still with my eyes closed in the Shavasana pose at the end of a class was almost impossible for me. I like to move! Dancing to fun music has always been a healing way to get me out of my head and drop back into my body. That's why I love The Nia Technique so much. The more out of my own head I allow myself to be, the better experience I have. I practice "getting out of my own way" every single Nia class I attend. I love that feeling when my feet and my hands know the moves even when my head is trying to overthink it (was it left, right, cha-cha-cha or was it right, left, cha-cha-cha?). It's healing to give my mind permission to take a break. I also love trying new types of physical activity. Last night I tried a Pilates class where you use drumsticks on the ground while you're doing a cardio workout to music , it's called Pound Pilates. It's probably not going to become my new obsession anytime soon, but it was definitely worth trying (and I can certainly count as "training for the trip" on some level). I'm sure you all can relate to the idea that what may be healing to one person might be the opposite of healing for another.
The Breathe Network believes that survivors of sexual violence deserve the choice about what kind of healing works best for them and to select a provider that is specifically trained to work with, committed to continuing education, and passionate about supporting survivors of sexual violence. We also know that what feels healing for a survivor of sexual violence can change over time - more choices help!
So maybe you want to help out but you just aren't sure how... here are five things you can do:
Share The Breathe Network with your favorite healers (yoga teachers, chiropractors, acupuncturists, reiki practitioners, therapists, psychologists, dance teachers, massage therapists, and other healing arts practitioners). This helps expand our network of practitioners in (or to) YOUR community.
Share my fundraising page to spread the word.
Donate any amount (even $5-$10 adds up big time).
"Like" The Breathe Network on Facebook to get updates, articles and resources that support all survivors of sexual assault. Read TBN's Inclusivity Statement here.
Follow @thebreathenetwork on Instagram. Here you'll find gorgeous photos, beautiful quotes, and inspiring posts.
I am deeply humbled and honored that you have chosen to support me on this journey. There are so many causes, organizations, communities, families and individuals that need our help right now. The help that you are giving to others right now is making a huge difference. Thanks for shining some of your light on me and on other survivors of sexual violence!
"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen
