Does the arc bend towards justice?

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This past week, I’ve been reflecting on the above quote as it feels like we’re taking steps backward in our progress towards equity.

The overturn of Roe v Wade. The blurring of separation between church and state. The continued efforts to undermine voting rights.

It feels like every day there’s more news of doom.

Yet, if we keep at this heightened sense of vigilance, we’ll burn out quickly. 

Burning out is the mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion that comes about with prolonged exposure to stress. 

A recent survey done by Limeade Institute stated that 72% are experiencing burnout versus 42% before the pandemic. That’s a massive increase.

And yet, we don’t have the luxury of showing up this way because it can have an impact on those around us and those we serve.

So do we just simply tell ourselves that everything will work out because to think otherwise is too depressing?

Or do we appreciate that the bending isn’t a passive act, instead it requires us to be proactive - whatever that means for us.

I lean towards the latter.

So how do we be proactive and not burn out (and therefore be no good at making a difference)?

Here are three ideas to explore:

Remember Your WHY

Why did you choose this line of work in the first place? 

There are many ways to make an income, to make a living. Yet we chose this path. 

We chose to have an impact in our communities and to work towards a mission.

We each play a part in our world -whether it’s creating green spaces in neighborhoods, ensuring that our air is cleaner to breathe, or working to make our communities safer.

When we get disconnected from that purpose, it can lead to feelings of exhaustion and “what's the point.” 

And as leaders, it’s important to dig into our why - to be living aligned with our values. 

Reconnect to the values that drive you. 

When you're remembering your why, go beyond the work. 

What is your why when it comes to your loved ones, your spiritual connection, your health?

Remember your MIND

Oftentimes, we run on autopilot - we just get through our to-do list.

Being present is such a crucial act. 

Let’s face it - there are a lot of distractions vying for our attention. 

Everything from social media to TV, to YouTube, to alcohol, to overworking.

Overworking is a real form of distraction. If we're working constantly, it's easy to get into a pattern of checking emails often and not disconnecting. 

Being present means to be there with the other person fully aware of the spoken words and the body language. 

After all, 70% of our communication is nonverbal so if we’re distracted, we may miss important cues.

So when remembering your mind, take time to cultivate silence through meditation, drinking coffee in silence, or going for a walk without your phone. These are ways to calm our nervous system and hear our thoughts.

Remember your JOY

It's so important to connect to our joy on a daily basis, especially when we’re doing difference-making work. 

It can be easy to get overwhelmed by what we're bearing witness to in our community. 

Have you tried writing a grant under duress? The words don’t flow as easily nor does the creativity.

By reconnecting to the joy, be it either spending time with loved ones, going to your favorite coffee place, or taking a hike, then we’re able to be present. 

We’re able to replenish ourselves - to come back with energy and excitement for the work. To get ourselves in the headspace of tackling the world’s sorrows.

When you’re starting your day, ask yourself, what’s one thing I can do today that’ll bring me joy?

So to recap, remember your WHY, your MIND, and your JOY.

Hope this serves.

Until next time, as always, be gentle & kind to yourself.

Shalini