Holding Space

“It can feel foolish to pause to marvel at the stars when the world is burning. Or to find the world beautiful when you’ve known it to betray you. But wonder is a liberation practice. A reminder that we contain more than tragedy. Beauty is our origin and our anchor.”

-Black Liturgies

This excerpt from the Black Liturgies describes so well the challenge that many of us are experiencing globally. If we are “tuned in” to current events worldwide it is impossible to ignore the tragedy and holding space for both tragedy and joy may feel wrong. It can seem as if allowing the joy to creep in is irresponsible. It can feel like joy is a luxury that cannot be afforded when people are undergoing such brutality. However, tragedy and joy, brutality and beauty are not mutually exclusive. There is beauty in witnessing communities support those who are suffering, in witnessing the ripple effects of allies and advocates showing up in the masses.

Perhaps beauty and wonder help us see past our differences and into our shared humanity. So, I ask you, as you take in the news and the heartache don’t shut out joy, awe, wonder, curiosity and beauty. There is space enough for it all. We may need to be more intentional about pursuing joy, seeking out beauty, and pausing to experience awe but hopefully in those moments we find our own liberation practice not just for ourselves but for humanity as a whole.