Holding Space

First, let's name that there is nothing in this email as important or concerning as what is happening for the people in Ukraine right now.
I questioned if I should even send this email.

As you can see, I decided to send it....here's why

Many people in the play therapy community know an artist in Ukraine named Katerina who hand-paints these beautiful stones for use in the sand tray. (Sold through Marshall's Miniatures).

*Full disclosure: I do NOT know Katerina personally, but I am inspired by her work. I believe that if there is ANY way that we can feel a personal connection to this situation, we might feel empowered to take notice - to listen more carefully to the news, to consider what it is like for the people there and how we can help.

So I invite you to follow Marshall's Miniatures as they give updates on Katerina. Look at her artwork and notice the emotions that are brought to the surface through her paintings.
I am scared for her.

I read another post in the Six Bricks Community group (a LEGO related group) from a therapist named Svitlana who works in Kyiv and she said, "my land is on fire."
I don't know her either,
but hearing this account makes me feel scared for her too.

While we were in San Diego, Lisa Dion was teaching about the nervous system. She was talking about how we respond during challenges -
If we think we can do something about a challenge, we might rev up to fight (or flee).
If we think we are powerless to a challenge, we might freeze - zone out, tune out, collapse.

Notice your response to Ukraine.
I wanted to tune out. I feel like there is nothing I can do.
It's too hard to watch the news and listen to the stories.
Marshall's Mini's helped me connect back in by talking about Katerina.
So, I did a very tiny thing -
I ordered some of Katerina's stones.
That might feel like the wrong thing to you - like a performative action -
I don't even know if that is helpful to her.
But I wanted to be able to HOLD HER WORK.
I wanted a physical reminder to stay connected to the trauma there.

If you have better suggestions - please share them with me.
I am open to learning anything and everything and will share what is helpful with others.

And in the most awkward transition ever, I encourage you to reflect on the month of February using my month-end
review worksheet.
This month, it might be helpful to include these global happenings as a perspective to your personal to-do lists, achievements and perceived failures/challenges.
As you think about the month of March - consider the opportunities you have to connect and to lean in to the discomfort in your own life and in the world.

COMING SOON
LIVE POETRY WORKSHOP
I would like to introduce you to Nancy Scherlong. She is an amazing therapist, teacher and facilitator of expressive writing workshops.
And we are working together to bring a poetry themed writing workshop based on the Morgan Harper Nichols book, All Along You were Blooming. Get the book and mark your calendars for April 9th from 12pm-EST! Registration will be open next week. (Think you can't handle poetry...think again!) Poetry is a universal language - so powerful and a deep and meaningful way to process difficult emotions.

There is a place for BOTH.
You can be concerned about the world AND still connected to your personal dreams and goals.
You can be both successful AND struggling.
You can both scared AND hopeful.

In your journal, notice the places where you feel two things at the same time.

I am both ...AND
I feel both...AND

Hold compassionate space for both to exist.
Notice the places that you want to zone out, the places that you feel compelled to rev up, and the tension between the two.
Breathe into that space in between.