photo by Drew Rae courtesy Pexels

The work of transformational change is hard. Reflections on the many ways we recharged, restored, rekindled our fire throughout the year:

“My ancestor’s history is one that I am still uncovering. I am a descendant of enslaved people whose culture has been ripped from us. We have to wade through half-truths and untruths. Grabbing on to Kwanzaa has been a mind- and life-saver for me.” –Jolyn Washington-Walker (Cohort 9), Reclaiming My Culture Through Kwanzaa

“She reminded me that sorting is also releasing what no longer serves. Letting go of ‘the shoulds’ and responding to the deep longing instead. Knowing her vibrancy, when feeling ‘too old.’ Wanting to be strong and independent, while deeply desiring community. Hearing the thought of being inadequate or insignificant, but maintaining her sense of purpose…” –Merrie Harrison (Cohort 13), What to Keep, What to Let Go

“I started creating and planning experiences for my family. Full-blown, agenda, activities, all of it. The energy that I put into events I do in the community, I’m doing that at home (and one benefit is that we are testing what things work and sharing thoughts about how the activities can be improved and shared!)” –Carmen Nieves (Cohort 17), Changing My Focus with Love, Gratitude & Sisterhood

“I have a very specific, deep Christian faith. That is my anchor, my foundation… That is what grounds me, informs my choices around how I want to show up for my family, for myself, for my community, for my leadership.” –Kia Levey-Burden (Cohort 8) Interview

“I don’t know what I would do without this community, which has come forward and carried me through these recent challenges. That story is to be shared another time; but suffice it to say that spirit strengthens, connects and heals.” –Denise Keyes Page (facilitator, Cohorts 2&3), Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu Through Storytelling

“It’s counterintuitive, but being in the woods with nature, I feel more connected to the world, including other people – even if there aren’t any there.” –Janet Stolfi Alfano (Cohort 16) Interview

“…al volver la vista atrás se ve la senda que nunca se ha de volver a pisar…” –Antonio Machado (1875-1939), Caminante no hay camino

“…I’ve been sitting with a bell hooks quote recently in regards to how I think about my therapy: ‘When we can see ourselves as we truly are and accept ourselves, we build the necessary foundation for self-love.’ It feels like the place I rest and practice and learn, so I can keep building the self-love essential for all the change I want to be a part of creating.” –Liz Hammond (Cohort 8) Interview

“It could mean something active, like a walk at lunch; taking time to really savor a bite from a meal; practicing aerial arts and acrobatics; dancing; singing; or painting with acrylics. Other times, it’s more quiet, like reading a good book – I’m a fan of fiction books for recharging – or taking a mid-afternoon nap. If I need a full reset, it’s being alone and completely immersed in nature, to remember something much bigger than me…” –José Feliciano (Cohort 21) Interview

”Part of my self-growth was not to find my voice – I always, already had my voice – but to have the courage to use it in the way that I wanted to use it.” –Kyisha Velazquez (Cohort 16) Interview

“As I was healing from my own life issues, God was preparing me to be an instrument in helping others.” –David Burden (Cohort 29), Forgiveness: The Personal & The Policy (Part 1)

“…while we don’t all have the resources to purchase organic vegetables at a market, perhaps we can get seeds (which are inexpensive) and grow them ourselves in our yard or a community garden or indoors in pots.” –Erica G. Bradley (Cohort 26), Read Your Greens

“Action on behalf of Life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.” -Robin Wall Kimmerer, in Rachel Heerema’s (Cohort 2) Fighting the fight (and flights) that needs fighting

“They eased some of my re-entry burden. I never felt abandoned, alone or hungry…” –Babz Rawls Ivy (Cohort 1), What Can I Do? The Freed Woman Fund Answers

“I’ve created a space where I live that is exactly what I want, and I never did that before… People may think it’s the silliest thing to have a backyard railroad garden. Who would do that and spend money on that? Me. And you know what? There’s great joy in it, I love it. It brings the kid out in me, it brings the creativity out in me.” –Chris Cole (Cohort 12) Interview

“During those five days, a fog lifted. I was on a hike with my dog and a clarity opened, like an old song I’ve always known but just needed a little hint to remember the melody.” –Joshua Wyrtzen (Cohort 26), A Friend in Silence

“Ultimately, with love and support, and a lot of talk therapy, I re-found myself and reached the place where I could full-heartedly choose the world.” –Claire Bien (Cohort 6), Embracing A Legacy of Silliness—and Finding Joy

“When students are able to get beyond the judgmental voices in their heads as they take walks with a sketchbook in their neighborhoods, they are amazed by all the things they are observing: ‘I never noticed those little flowers before,’ or ‘I saw a squirrel taking a nap in a tree when I looked out the window, so I sketched it!’” –Linda Anderson Miller (Cohort 7) Interview

“A professor-mentor reassured me, ‘We circle back to the places that give us strength.’” –Nancy Alexander (Cohort 8), From The Heights to The Haven

“On a day where I thought I wanted nothing more than to be invisible, I was reminded by these men that I was seen, and that I was worthy of the celebration that I craved, even if I claimed otherwise.” –George Black (Cohort 25), To The Men Who Have Pursued Me

Curated by The Circle’s creative director & editor, Lara Herscovitch. To reach Lara directly: thecircle@clpnewhaven.org or Lara@LaraHerscovitch.com

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