For 2018

I have a few goals for 2018. Simple ones, like continuing to care for my body with exercise and to care for my soul with cake baking. To finish my thesis. To do more camping. To survive the winter.  And then more complex ones, ones that I struggle to put into words. And so my goal is to use this blog to start writing about them. 

I want to start to create space, even if it's just a little bit, in this corner of the web, in which to reflect on what it might mean to believe in nonviolence, restorative practices, civil dialogue, and compassion. To learn, or relearn, how to live out of that alternative, still so very counter cultural, Anabaptist value system in a world that feels so antagonistic. In a place where judgement and assumptions come first, where hatred is acceptable on both sides of the aisle, I want to explore grace. Where we are defined by single actions, where impact trumps intention, where call out culture reigns supreme, I want to explore how to create pathways for renewal and restoring people to community. I want to think about why focusing on repairing harm, not only preventing it, is so important to me.

And I don't want to be silent when my thoughts or values disagree with the liberal politics of our age. I don't want to sit quiet while it becomes okay to muzzle people with whom we disagree, when civil society disappears, and when people are demonized to the point where there is no opportunity to acknowledge responsibility, and then to move forward with grace and humility and to restore community. 

I assume that some of what I will want to write will not be comfortable to say, or for everyone to read. I want to have the courage to write with integrity, from the heart. I hope that I can do so with grace, with humility, and with compassion. 

Comments

  1. DylanJanuary 1, 2018 at 11:33 AM

    Bekah, I am looking forward to this line of thought. Please let me know when you post. I would like to keep up with the conversation.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JamilaJanuary 1, 2018 at 9:24 PM

    Yes yes yes. There much judgment out there and this is the time for speaking truth, not choosing sides.
    I like what you're doing here :) i'm sure I will disagree with some of what you say (because really, no two people can -nor should- think exactly the same), but regardless you have my full support and excitement :) ❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete
  3. darcy mackenzieJanuary 4, 2018 at 9:57 AM

    I wonder ... what you will write about! And I will look forward to lots of interesting food for thought. Already I'm intrigued because I didn't even really see liberal/leftist viewpoints as being how you described them. But if they are as you describe, that's vitally important to unpack and I'm excited to read your ideas.

    ReplyDelete

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