photo courtesy Pexels
The many ways we recharged, restored, rekindled our fire throughout this year.
“Trusting, vulnerability, all the things that didn’t serve me in my former life, are now tools. Honesty, openness, courage, willingness, I am now able to model vulnerability to build connection. They keep me on the path.” –Anderson Curtis (Cohort 24), A Conversation about Building Connection
“We turn the tide by making collaborative spaces for BIPOC women to reassure, uplift, mentor and invite each other to express feelings of vulnerability, unease, and, ultimately, hope and triumph.” –Marian A. Evans (Cohort 19), Wisdom of BIPOC Women Scholars
“I’ve been trying to take 30 minutes a day to do something — breathing fresh air, slowing down.” –Anna Blanding (Cohort 4) Interview
“Recovery is recovering. We’re all recovering from something. And you know what? It’s ok. We heal and we actually transform.” –Steve Mikolike (Cohort 28), Faith, Calling & Recovery
“…it’s just this magical thing that kind of takes my breath away, every single time I see it.” –Aly Fox (Cohort 13), The Alchemy and Art of Natural Dyes
“The ultimate goal — and even a dream of mine — is for us all to identify our need for one another and ask for help — a lot of us just don’t know how to ask for it.” –Steve Mikolike (Cohort 28), Building Trust, Team & Community
“I’m in a moment when I’m working to remember who I am in my work and life in general, and how laughter, joy and play can be a part of it all again.” –Lauri Robbins Ericson (Cohort 12), From Capitalist Trauma to Nordic Calm
“…In particular I love the water, so I go canoeing and organize canoeing events and activities. That’s one of the drivers of the Mill River Trail, appreciation of water.” –J.R. Logan (Cohort United Way) Interview
“She has guided me through some really hard times. She has helped me in working through my trauma, to heal and to forgive as part of my healing process.” –Eli López Acevedo (Cohort 22) Interview
“Today you are still here. And in many ways, always will be.” –Omena McCoy (Cohort 25), Grief & Gratitude: A Love Letter
“The heart knows, the brain lags. In the moment I made the decision to take that first natural dye class up in New Hampshire, I was (thankfully) listening with heart and not letting my mind get in the way.” –Aly Fox (Cohort 13), What Makes an Artist
“grieve. so that you can be free to feel something else.” –nayyirah waheed, poems from salt. & NEJMA
“I’m grateful for the other Black women that know the difference between self-maintenance and self-care…” –Duanecia Clark (Cohort 21) Interview
“They are all reminding us that there is more love and many more good people than there is hate…” –Christopher Cole (Cohort 12), Moving Forward with Pride and Hope
“They imbedded a sense of PR pride that is often hard to explain in words. I saw my mom grow from being on welfare to obtaining her 6th-year degree! It motivated me then, and still does to this day.” –Jeffrey Moreno (Cohort 28), Proud Hispanic Heritage & Service
“I believe that vulnerability is a superpower. Vulnerability is something that shows up in my leadership often, because I feel like other people who may feel alone in their struggles may benefit from resonance.” –Yexandra (Yex) Diaz (Cohort 32) Interview
“I want to go do something outside, for me. The reason I choose and attach it to pottery is because I can actually see the work, and see the effort that I put into slowing down. And being with myself, being physical, seeing what creativity looks like after that process happens. If I can walk away from the experience with something visual, that could also hold me accountable in the future to create more.” –Miriam Sutton (Cohort 29), Turning to Creativity for Peace
Curated by The Circle’s creative director & editor, Lara Herscovitch. To reach Lara directly: thecircle@clpnewhaven.org or Lara@LaraHerscovitch.com