Hello Beautiful Human,
Juneteenth is a powerful holiday that holds within it the complexity and nuance of Liberation work.
American mythology prefers simple, cut and dry heroes without the messy parts.
I was taught that the Emancipation Proclamation set slaves free - Juneteenth reminds us that it took two and a half years before slaves in Texas were given the liberty to exert that freedom.
I recently heard a Juneteenth scholar describe it as a day of hope and hostility.
She did not shy away from speaking the truth that slave owners and white people in Texas did not greet the news with celebration. It was tenuous and challenging to actualize that freedom. Newly freed people quickly worked towards family unification, setting up schools, and gaining political representation, which as we know was met with hostility and political opposition.
If change agents in all sectors kept the truth of Juneteenth in mind, would we be less surprised at the opposition and backlash to human rights and dignity for all that we are witnessing today?
As a mindset coach I know that the gap between expectations and reality creates a lot of pain. Without addressing that pain we can become demotivated, frustrated and disengaged. Consciously engaging that gap within the world and within ourselves gives us clarity and motivation to move forward in creating a world we desire.
Without getting too much into the mathematical nature of fractals—infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across different scales—the concept reflects that the nature of change on a societal level is also true at an individual level.
3 Lessons from Juneteenth
⏳ Change Takes Time
Let us not grow weary in our efforts to protect human dignity.
🤔 Not everyone is going to agree with it or even be happy about it.
Are we willing to upset those in power to create a more equitable world?
🎉 Celebrating the milestones is worthwhile even as we continue the work.
Reflect:
What can you celebrate today that will motivate you to continue moving the needle toward liberation for all?
On a personal level, when we become individually awake to our own liberation a few things will happen.
⏳ It takes time.
How long have you been reading this newsletter and contemplating accessing new levels of freedom, but have yet to actualize and embody it?
Maybe today is your Juneteenth day when you claim freedom from your old patterns - that inner critic that enslaves you to playing small. A discovery call is a joyful and powerful turning point where together we map out your personal path forward.
🤔 Not everyone will be happy
Is your people-pleasing nature keeping you from speaking truth, creating certainty in the direction you are going, and powerfully moving ahead despite upsetting others' feelings?
I coach a lot of empathetic people who care deeply about others feelings and sometimes we need to be reminded that operating from a place of inner truth and alignment is more powerful than catering to an individual who prefers you stay small.
🎉 Celebration is essential.
As I wrote about last week, you are allowed to be proud. You are allowed to celebrate the growth and milestones in your life before you feel like you've reached all your goals.
In fact, celebrating through the setback and roadblocks is essential in creating the stamina to move forward. I know it can feel hard to celebrate through challenges and growth... this is also a part of the power of coaching. I get to reflect back to you all the ways I see you grow through our time together and support your nervous system to feel safe in doing so.
Reflect:
What lessons are you internalizing this Juneteenth? I am sure there are many more than I have written about in this brief newsletter.
I’d love to hear your reflections. Hit reply, I read and cherish every response.
Be well and may your liberation create ripples of liberation in your corner of influence.
In solidarity,
P.S. ☀️ ⛱️ My summer invitation: Let's grab coffee, lemonaid, or horchata... to chat liberation, change, and summer joy. Seriously, grab time on my schedule before the days get shorter. ☀️
