issue no. 778

WHEN THE WORLD FEELS OVERWHELMING . . .

there’s a critical tool at our disposal to re-orient us: our bodies.

When societies and systems continue to be organized around measures that squeeze us instead of support us, it’s easy to get into our heads with worry. We try desperately to think our way through the problems, sure that if we devote enough energy to it, we can work our way out.

But as we age, we recognize a different truth: we will not think our way to a more vibrant future, we will feel it.

In the body / mind / spirit triumvirate, we know that each area plays an important role. We don’t discount what the mind can accomplish (for an excellent example, we recommend checking out Toi Smith’s link for The Deepening below in the Tidbits section). Using our heads can be critical, but most effective when first filtered through our bodies and our hearts.

The ideas and the energy that will lead us out of these compounding crises will not originate in any one person, but rather come through all of us. When we feel into our bodies, we can connect to a wisdom greater than any individual, into the experience of those that came and went before us, who now know that the most powerful force exists in the way that we love each other.

So this week (and always) when you notice your mind start racing, we recommend that you take a minute to slow down. Literally one minute of box breathing (4 seconds in, 4 seconds hold, 4 seconds out, 4 seconds hold - repeat for 4 rounds) can give you a little space to tap into your body - to unclench your jaw, relax your shoulders, loosen your belly, feel the Earth underneath your feet.

When done in tandem with noticing the warm sun on your face, or hearing the waves or water moving, or the birds chirping and the wind whistling, you can feel the energy within your body expand and connect with the incredible unparalleled life force all around us.

When we enter our minds from here, it helps us remember what really holds weight, what truly matters. It allows us to connect with a beautiful, abundant, diverse web of life, and learn from the interconnected eco systems that have developed over billions of years, in an arc much bigger than any one of our lifetimes.

The systems of the world will continue to encourage us to jump into, to race through, and to exhaust ourselves and each other. The most gentle, accessible, and immediate acts of resistance start right in our bodies.

With our whole heart,

Tay + Dor

PS our web-based job search engine continues to be an act of love, as we create and share tools that help connect people who want to use their days contributing to the world through food. This week, we launched our ‘boost’ feature, allowing employers to pay a small fee ($10) to automatically bump their job listing to the top of the search results. Sometimes we all need a little boost.

tidbits...

resources on anti-racism, environmentalism and food culture AKA stuff we’re reading / listening to / watching / noticing / thinking about / captivated by this Tuesday . . .

Do One Small Thing . . . when you take a minute to scan your body, what do you notice? Is it tight? Cramped? Clenched? What happens when you draw your attention to it - in the moment, and over time? We’d love to hear your comments.

Toi Smith offers such clarity and care in her words, actions, and questions . Join her free re-education, The Deepening , delivered straight to your inbox each week for a year.

“I think for a lot of Americans, what they’ll notice is just a lot more food will taste worse, and you’ll be paying more for it.” - Why the deal for Sysco to buy Restaurant Depot for $29 billion has many independent restaurants worried about rising costs.

Field & Story is a 10-month pop-up newsletter you won’t want to miss. Swati Singh will be chronicling her experience as a small farm apprentice, and we’ll be walking alongside her for the irreplaceable mix of deep insights and deep belly laughs. You can sign up here .

For those who attempt to “transfuse the courage of their hearts into the faltering world,” your support of art and poetry by Aurora Levins Morales also benefits Stand with Minnesota and the ongoing impact of ICE in their community. Printed in the United States.

Join Ryan Rose Weaver for a digital gathering on Tending Your Spiritual Truth . In the absence of solid spiritual traditions, this can help you navigate your way and tap into a supportive force that feels aligned with your deep knowing.

This newsletter edition inspired by Sophie Strand ’s most recent Substack Body As Primary Setting .

The Bridging Land, Agriculture & Communities Conference (BLACC) is a one-of-a-kind regional gathering to uplift the ongoing contributions of Black agriculturalists to New York State's agricultural and food systems. Open to the public, you can register here .

A new issue of What the Wolf Wore , Dor’s newsletter on personal writing projects and the passion of spiritual creativity, is coming out soon. You can sign up to receive monthly essays, plus news on her forthcoming book .

View and share this free guide to How to Write a More Equitable Job Post , and stay tuned for new resources to deepen this work.

" Plenty has been written about the economic impact of the pandemic on the food industry, but not enough about its lingering effects on the bodies of people whose mission is to nourish us. " Read the latest GFJ Story on the creator behind Anjali's Cup, with words by Nicole J. Caruth and photos by Christine Han.

got a tidbit? drop it here for us and we’ll share it in next week’s newsletter.