Hunger
- At July 20, 2020
- By Write in Community
- In Blog
6
A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. —Brene Brown
These are challenging times. We are being asked to shoulder all the sorrows, surprising sweetnesses and unsettling machinations that cycle through what we now call the “new normal.” For me, dealing with what seems like insurmountable problems, the pandemic and effects of systemic racism, creates an emptiness in my stomach as if little food has passed my lips.
At other moments, I sense a growing confusion in my actions—of walking right instead of left, of not remembering where I parked the car—and this, of waking up only to discover that the place I landed in has shifted—the certainty of yesterday up in smoke. What can I do to find my place in the world? And help others find their places? In Margaret Wheatley’s words, the only way through is forward. “Are you willing to use whatever power and influence you have” she said,” …and rely on our best qualities to create, produce and persevere?”
Recently, I read that one out of five children in America today are hungry. Food is a basic need and, yet, many are going without meals. And kids are also hungry for connection and belonging. For acceptance and respect. Being seen. So much heartache to bear. What can we offer as artists, as writers, as musicians—creatives—to make children’s lives more fulfilled, validated? Friendship and connection, new learning and creativity, discovery and fun.
Yes, I have fumbled through painting a unicorn fairy garden, explored with kids on Zoom a writing exercise entitled “Who Am I” (still working on this), did my best to draw electronically an astronaut and dog, and made up song ditties while jumping rope. Do I think such activities are precursors to young people becoming a Monet or a Toni Morrison? No, but I do think doing creative activities together can foster a sense of purpose for children, a personal connection and feeling of belonging.
Parker Palmer said, “I think there are two ways for the heart to break. It can break into a 1000 shards and explode like a fragment grenade…. Or, it can break into largeness. You can take your heartaches and use it to become a bigger, better person.” Poetry, music or painting—whatever imaginations bubble in your minds—foster real connections and create new memories for young people. Be an adult who sees something in another. The seeds for growth and learning are already there. All a child may need is sunshine and a little attention from someone like you. – Becky Breed
Creativity Exercises:
1) Identify a child to spend time with in your neighborhood, a grandchild, a friend’s son or daughter. Or, think about volunteering your time with someone who is culturally or ethnically different than you. Find out what they love—music, painting, writing, dance. If social distancing is required or if they live far away, be creative. How can you transform the space between you? What can you do to give kids new memories? Watch VCC #OneVoiceChildren #memories Mix- maroon 5 children’s choir cover.
2) Or, finish these conversation-starters and see where your creativity takes you:
“I want to live in a world where children…”
“I am committed to…”
Pick up your paints, bring out your clay and Zoom together a shared creation. See where your imagination takes you.
Go to thewritingandcreativelife.com and find more things to love.
Monica
I connect with your description of feeling lost, a disorientation we’re all experiencing. We’re all searching for more. And I appreciate that you don’t let your reader off the hook. We have the power to transform this world into a better place, and it’s our responsibility to keep seeking out ways to do so. This is a beautiful honoring of what’s broken, and a call for thoughtful action.
Chris Carithers
Becky, right on! Love this piece. There’s so much going on right now that could lead one to contract, retreat and isolate; however, as you mentioned, we’ve been provided with an opportunity for largeness. I love your call to action, inviting us all to be, “an adult who sees something in another”. You’ve always been such a champion of connection, action and the possibility for change.
Mike Stinson
A big “Amen” to Monica’s and Chris’s comments! This is a heartfelt piece, an expression of conscience and compassion. Maybe this is a time to focus on identifying and cultivating our own unique gifts. I believe we all have our own special something that is vital to life’s flourishing. Maybe we not only need to do what we can to immediately help, but we also can utilized this time to go deep within to discover who we are, and who we are not. A time to care for our souls, and therefore the world’s soul.
“The Bodhisativa voluntarily comes back into the world knowing that it’s a mess.
He doesn’t come back
“only if it is sweet for me”
The Bodhisattva
participates joyfully
in the sorrows of the world”….Heinrich Zimmer in Joe Campbell’s “Reflections on the Art of Living”
Dianne
And the big question is, what have we learned through these days of Solitude?
Margaret Walker
Becky, I wanted to respond to this piece that so well reflects my own thoughts and experiences. Yet I have only a jumble of words that tumble in confusion, refusing to form a coherent sentence. Perhaps my mind is as shattered as my soul as I struggle to find a “new normal” – a way to again use stories and connections to build those bonds of “love and belonging”.
Thank you for inspiring me to again foster that “something in another”. I had forgotten that very early in the “shutdown” I used Margaret Wise Brown’s “The Important Book” in a bit of online teaching with a 7 year old. The expression on her face as we re-wrote the book to be about her was sheer joy – for both of us.
Barb
I’m so grateful for words that help me name and describe my own feelings and wanderings over the last four + months. These unsettling and tender times are filled with possibilities for growth. For me, the snag is navigating through foggy distractions. Thank you for the assurance that we can find life-giving ways to connect and show care, even from home. Alongside you, Becky!