What Feeds You?
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Hello friends, We had one of our rare snow days here in Portland, Oregon. When snow arrives here, it stays for a week at the most. This week’s storm lasted for all of twenty-four hours. That sort of snow is a pleasure to walk in, and a pleasure to watch from the warmth and comfort of our 108 year old home. Others are not so fortunate, I know. Before the storm hit, our household contributed to a hotel fund for some folks who live on the street. And, as the temperatures reached freezing in the days prior, I’d already started setting out nuts and seeds for the birds and small animals in our neighborhood. It is important to feed and care for others. It is important to feed and care for ourselves. One way I’m feeding myself this weekend is by attending a small professional author’s conference here in Portland. The Author Alchemy Summit offers a wealth of conversation, sharing, and learning. I’m here to both teach and to learn. I’m also eating good food here, so my body is fed as well as my spirit and mind. I can’t only feed myself, but I also can’t not feed myself. Along with contributing to shelter for some unhoused neighbors, and setting out nuts for the birds, this week I joined an organizing call to see how I could help some immigrants who are currently under fire. And now I’m at a professional conference. This could all set up dissonance inside me, but it doesn’t. Work—and life—goes on, whether there is snow, or rain, or fire, or yet another crisis. Food needs to be prepared and shared, then eaten by whoever is around. And that’s the point of this week’s thoughts: No matter what we are going through, as individuals and collectively, we must find ways to feed ourselves and each other, mind, body, and soul. I hope you are getting some nourishment this week. Best wishes - Thorn
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T. Thorn Coyle
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