This week feels heavy. I am still digesting the impact of the visual and verbal announcements we’ve witnessed from the U.S., so I am not ready to post on the topic. However, I feel it is important to step closer to the pain of the news and respond constructively. Considering I am a healing professional who loves to lean on books in darker times, I decided to share my top reads on surviving, working and re-connecting in such times – times we call in liberation psychology “the times of a broken heart”.
- “Belonging without Othering: How We Save Ourselves and the World” by john a. powell and Stephen Menendian – this recent book outlines the mechanisms of othering and proposes constructive ways of coming closer to the person we may perceive as other. I feel that this week’s news runs the risk of polarising us, nations, communities, families, and friendships even more than ever, so I believe it is critical to remain steady and learn to work with a variety of opinions (while also strongly advocating for safety – that of people around us and of us).
- “Wilful Blindness: Why We Ignore the Obvious” by Margaret Heffernan – I had the privilege of listening to Margaret Heffernan live here in Bristol (she lives locally, I believe). Her ability to gain perspective, base her insights on data (not biases) and demystify our common assumptions can come super handy when we are trying to understand why so many people around us shy away from calling things out. Not only does this book offer perspective for compassion, but it also includes critical mechanisms to consider when actually calling things out.
- “Embodied Activism: Engaging the Body to Cultivate Liberation, Justice, and Authentic Connection.” by Rae Johnson – a fantastic toolkit (actual practices you can put in place here and now) to reclaim our place in society and to advocate for others, especially in times when verbal interventions feel unsafe.
- “DisConnected: The Roots of Human Cruelty and How Connection Can Heal the World.” by Steve Taylor – is an incredibly helpful read because it outlines the history of authoritarian civilisations and the moment in time we find ourselves in today. Despite a challenging first few chapters, you may find it to be a hopeful and inspiring read.
- “Hope Rising: How the Science of HOPE Can Change Your Life” by Casey Gwinn J.D. and Chan Hellman PhD – something I have learned from my incredible counselling tutors during my studies is the radical act of coming closer to our feelings at times when maybe we feel our national indention is to disconnect. Times of crisis and heartache often result in apathy, and that happens by design (as in, that is the effect planned by those who plan certain stories). It can be difficult, or even outrageous at first, to do the opposite, but if we take just one small step closer to what really hurts, we may find a way through the trauma, helplessness and distrust of fellow humans. This book outlines that mechanism in the context of how hope as an emotion operates in our system. I think it is a super helpful read to inspire moving forward, connected and united in all our diversity while clearly holding accountable those who cause harm and neglect (no matter how insignificant that harm may seem at first).
The power of naming things is important. The power of calling things out is critical. However, it can be so tempting to get lost in specific ideologies and tribes and join the chaos. If we take a step back and then a step closer, maybe what we will find is pain and heartache. And maybe we will remember that as social creatures, we seek connection to survive, to live, to thrive. I hope those book tips will be helpful.
Please do share your inspiring reads for such times.
Photo by Mari Potter on Unsplash
