lqb2weekly #170 (6 april 2022)
hey,
spring is springing and the overwhelm is real. just saying that if you’re feeling it, i’m feeling it, too. speaking of…last week, me and yahya were checking in and they IDed that the nature of the difficult things in my life had something of a seasonal quality to them. that sparked the desire to collect other seasonal woes. if you have an issue that is particularly prevalent in a certain season, add to the doc: seasonal problems.
also, we’re a little less than 4 weeks away from the big announcement… 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾
also also, if you haven’t yet listened to the enough is enough podcast mini-series my friend caroline and i made, check it out! in the next five newsletters, i’ll just include a link to an episode to make it easier for you. enough podcast episode 1. in this first episode, me and caroline talk out some of our own ideas about enough and intro you to the series.
random update: i am beginning to wonder if i’m going to get an extended cough every time i get sick. i got a cold march 8-10. recovered mostly by march 12. i coughed until march 28 or so. no positive covid tests. no fever. no other symptoms. ugh. wtf. is this my life?
marlo is running a next round of his men’s healing circle this spring! it starts on 26 april and i highly recommend it because marlo is awesome.
second to last thing: thanks to the EIGHT INCREDIBLE HUMANS who are now paid subscribers and supporters of this newsletter. this newsletter will remain free for anyone and everyone and folks who contribute financially help make it possible. you’re welcome to switch over to a paid subscription at any time: https://lqb2weekly.substack.com/subscribe
ok one last thing: i haven’t read the book reviewed below but the review is 🔥 and if anyone wants to read it. i got it from the better humans daily newsletter. which i have been enjoying every few days.
Most educational proponents defend studying superficially useless topics on the dubious basis that this work will later transfer to other skills. Thus, we have people arguing that reading Shakespeare makes you more empathetic, listening to classical music makes you smarter, or studying military history will sharpen your business acumen.
Yet we now have mountains of psychological evidence that suggest no such thing happens. There are no “mental muscles” that strengthen through general practice. For learning to be useful, the content needs to be useful.
What makes Hirsch’s book surprising and insightful is that he strenuously agrees. Most skills won’t transfer. Most school learning withers to a hazy association in the years after graduation. Reading Shakespeare and memorizing dates won’t ever help you fix a car, program a computer or decide on a corporate strategy. — Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know
ok! on to the things!
(!!) pick of the pack
writing
some things i’ve written since the last newsletter:
Apr 6, 2022 | book review: amusing ourselves to death by neil postman
Mar 31, 2022 | some thoughts on napping
Mar 23, 2022 | book review: healing resistance by kazu haga
Mar 22, 2022 | unleashing alternative futures: hard things
quotes
there is nothing new under the sun.
We don’t rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training. — Archilochus
I don’t see why we have to say ‘I will die,’ because I can already see myself in you, in other people, and in future generations. — Thich Nhat Hahn
I read once that the true mark of a pro — at anything — is that he understands, loves, and is good at even the drudgery of his profession. — Paul Halmos
Nearly everything in life has a useful zone, a desired dose. Ten minutes in the sun can energize you. Ten hours in the sun can burn you. This concept applies to many things: work, relationships, hobbies, exercise, food.
What is your desired dose? What do you need right now? A little bit more or a little bit less? — James Clear
There is only one way to read, which is to browse in libraries and bookshops, picking up books that attract you, reading only those, dropping them when they bore you, skipping the parts that drag – and never, never reading anything because you feel you ought, or because it is part of a trend or a movement. Remember that the book which bores you when you are twenty or thirty will open doors for you when you are forty or fifty-and vise versa. Don’t read a book out of its right time for you. — Doris Lessing
poetry
n/a this week.
reads
some things i’ve read since the last newsletter:
Can an extra $800 a month lift someone out of poverty? Local nonprofits put cash to the test.
my dearly beloved friend jess is all up in this article!
deep practice | adrienne maree brown (!!)
sidenote: 3 ppl sent me this since it came out and mentioned resonance with how they experience me moving through the world. rarely have i ever felt more validated lol.
listens
some audio and/or podcasts i’ve listened to since the last newsletter:
Trapped in Their Own Story | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
124 - Steve Hoskinson: A Trauma-Safe Approach to Coaching | Coaches Rising (!)
watches
some videos i watched since the last newsletter:
Forms: Hierarchy (!)
If you’re in sales, how many “touches” does it take to make a sale?
Yasmin Williams, "Restless Heart" Night Owl | NPR Music (!!)
jams
some things i’ve been (aurally) enjoying since the last newsletter:
a tribute to troy — liquid crystal project
I AM WOMAN — emmy meli
if i could — charlotte day wilson
jobs
Development Director | Political Research Associates | $72-92k
Organizer | The Debt Collective | $60-70k + healthcare stipend
Campaign Director | The Debt Collective | $60-75k + healthcare stipend
Social Media Director | Revolutionary Love Project | $40-50k
Director of Strategy and Operations | Revolutionary Love Project | $100k
housing
a friend and incredible organizer in boston is looking for a roommate!
ISO human to share space with in Dorchester near Morton and Norfolk street on the Mattapan line. Accessible by multiple public transit options including the commuter rail (5 minutes from Morton Street stop on the Fairmont line), multiple bus lines and about 15 -20 minutes from Ashmont and Forest Hills station. Two rooms are available starting April 1st. The room rental is a flat fee ($1,300 - $1,450) depending on room size and includes all utilities, off street parking, wifi, cable access, access to a semi-private bathroom, yard and a hot tub. BIPOC and queer folks are favored and welcome. Check out this doc form for details including pictures of the space. Email Khalida at khalidasmalls@gmail.com if you have any questions. Please complete this form to be considered.
upcoming events
$$ (fun-raising)
i am currently working on writing an essay for a tarot deck to be released this year: liberation tarot. you can check out some lovely previews and bios of the artists here and you can help support the fundraising here. here’s the fundraising ask from the website in case you don’t have energy to click through:
We are now looking to raise an additional $10,000 for the design and writing of the Liberation Tarot handbook! The handbook will include magnificent written contributions from emet ezell, Lawrence Barriner II, Elicia Epstein, and adrienne maree brown.
Can you help us reach $10,000 by May, 2022?
if you’ve got funds to help this project get over the finish line, here is where to send them. 🙃 i’m v excited. obvi.
other opportunities
newsletters
emet ezell: why do? how come? ask the children
building belonging: We need to talk about hierarchy (!!)
astroradicals: THE MOOD: Condensed and Cross-Eyed
better humans daily: For big results, spend your cognitive budget where it matters.
right now i’m learning…
about somatic openings and embodied transformation from alta starr.
mood
