A Bookshop for Heartivists and the Splendors of Spring

Apr 29, 2024

Dear friends,

After reading Katherine May’s beautiful and healing book “Wintering” last year, I decided to start living according to the seasons, in rhythm with the natural world. And so, after months of dark and short days, retreating, cocooning, and slowing down, just like a seed beneath the snow, it is now time to bloom.

Nothing I love more than the splendors of spring! I take celebrating it very seriously. These days, you will find me in the forest, surrounded by horses, a private symphony of birds and rivers, two playful cats, and occasionally – one curious fox. Spending time in Nature, observing how this season – a period of transition - begins somewhat hesitantly and then advances with such tenacity, opens the door to reflection on the essence of change and how we move from one stage to another. Surrounded by animals and plants, one feels the inevitability of transition on a cellular level.

Just like life – spring is mud and thunderstorms, hope and blossom. And while some of us love the narrative of Change, the re-imagining and rebuilding of our world, others fear and resist it.

We Belong was born out of the longing for a safe and sacred communal space where everybody is seen and every story is heard. This newsletter is our attempt to hold a space of gentleness and care, where you find nourishment. Therefore, we crafted a tool kit for times of change, hoping it will help, as Parker J. Palmer beautifully writes, “take leave of our density to dance the wind and sing the sun.”

⚘ Feeling Deeply is a magnificent short film featuring ecosystem scientist and conservation biologist Phoebe Barnard who delves into the powerful forces of our emotions that our bodies can use as fuel for action and healing.

𖥧 Do you feel that you are actively interacting with the change around you, or are you more in a constant defensive reaction to it? In the first episode of The Nervous System School, author and educator Brad Stahlberg invites us to look at change from a different perspective: Everything is constantly changing – from our body cells, mindset, relationships, and career choices, to the global situation. The modern culture of self-development and self-help has trapped us into constantly looking for meaning behind everything that happens to us and instantly wanting to see how it leads to growth. This sometimes leads us to perceive change as an enemy, resulting in more uncertainty, fear, and pain.

He talks about his book Master of Change which delves into how we can thrive in uncertainty, and interact with change instead of simply letting it happen to us, as well as topics such as rugged flexibility, tragic optimism, and overcoming resistance.

⸙ STORY — Life Transitions: How to Celebrate, Let Go and Move Forward Thomas Miller shares his reflections on how we can use rituals to embody the transitions in our lives, let go of former identities that no longer serve us, and embrace challenges to bring out our strengths.

Librairie Alinéa: One independent women-owned bookshop offers a happy hunting ground for wordsmiths and literary vagabonds

We transport you to Luxembourg this Independent Bookstore Day with the story of Librairie Alinéa — an independent bookshop on a mission to keep the spirit of books alive. We met with Ava Najafi, one of Alinéa’s founders — a social activist dedicated to preserving the traditions of books in a world dominated by digital technology. Our conversation with Ava reminded us about the unique role of bookshops — to offer a cultural platform and source of inspiration, bringing together readers and writers. An escape from the hustle and bustle of our cities. We delve into the challenges of running an independent librairie, and talk about the experiences of the Iranian community in Luxembourg. Ava also offers some book recommendations for politicians.

In a world dominated by digital technology, I believe it's essential to preserve the tradition of books, and it's an honor to be one of the remaining bookshops in Luxembourg. - Ava Najafi

𓇢𓆸 You can read the interview here.

Cabinet of Curiosities

Madeleine Dore’s podcast A Social Life, with Friends is a collection of conversations with experts, authors, strangers, and friends about what it’s like being a person in the world with other people.

“With so much advice around how to achieve work-life balance, optimise, and avoid burnout, there’s something refreshing about admitting no one has it all together. Yet the beautiful thing is we keep trying—to connect, to love, to find meaning. And that’s what this new project will explore—how we can feel less alone in our yearnings and tensions, and find our own way”.

How can we employ climbing to influence the kind of world we aspire to create? What The Hands Do | How Climbing Can Shape the World features Mariana Mendoza’s explorations on how climbing can foster joy, connection, and opportunities for meaningful growth within our communities.

Ask Women is a newsletter for databases and initiatives worldwide designed to address the gender gap and amplify women’s expertise. It connects journalists and event organizers with women experts by bringing a selection of profiles and contacts directly to their inboxes.

What is imagination activism? Aisha Shillingford from Intelligent Mischief breaks down what the battle for the meaning of the world’s future looks like. In Building the Cultural Power Ecosystem, she explains why our culture needs to embrace mutual care, regeneration, and interdependence.

There are imaginaries that share the belief that life is emergent, beautiful, chaotic, and unpredictable, but also that resources are abundant when shared, and that we survive and thrive together in interdependent relationships with one another, the land, and other beings.

💆🏻‍♀️Tips for building a healthy media diet

📖 We asked Ava what books are currently on her nightstand and why she chose them

🪶 “Hunger” by Roxane Gay (“This memoir delves into her ongoing battle with obesity and society's perceptions of overweight women”)

🪶“Where the Mountains Sing” by Nguyen Phan Que Mai (“Although I haven't started it yet, I was impressed by Nguyen's other book, 'Dust Child,' so I'm eager to dive into this one”)

🪶“Seventeen” by Joe Gibson (“This memoir recounts the experiences of a man who faced abuse from his teacher during his teenage years”)

🪶“Wir holen alles nach” by Martina Borger (“I've just started this one, so I'm still exploring what it has to offer”)