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Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #98

January 8, 2021 By Laura Davis No Comments - Read & Respond

I’M SPEAKING AT A FREE RECONCILIATION SUMMIT

Some of you may or may not know this about me, but I’ve been fascinated with the topic of reconciliation for years. My mother and I were estranged for years and ultimately made peace with each other. That is the subject of my memoir, Wholehearted, and was the subject of my 2000 book, I Thought We’d Never Speak Again: The Road from Estrangement to Reconciliation. I’m fascinated by what keeps people apart and what makes it possible for them to make peace with each other–or at least inside themselves.

I’ll be a speaker at a terrific free event, hosted by Yasmin Kerkez, at the end of this month, January 26-28: Moving Beyond Family Struggles Summit. I’m one of a number of excellent speakers providing myriad free resources helpful for anyone struggling with a challenging relationship with a family member.

At this time when there is so much divisiveness in our world, we need these resources more than ever.

I’m thrilled to be a part of this free, 3-day virtual event. Come hear me speak!

My interview is one of 15 and will take place on the third day. You also may recognize some of the names among this group of experts centered on family relationship struggles and estrangement. If you don’t yet know them, you’ll be introduced.

Take a moment to check out and sign up for the Summit. It’s all free. All that’s required is your attention.

Click Here for More Information and to Register.


Today’s Resources

Resources for Teachers on the Days After the Attack on the US Capitol

Thanks for the heads up from Toby Landesman.

Click here to access this resource.

Politics

An Election and an Insurrection

This was the best response to the Wednesday’s events that I’ve heard. Even though reporting on the remarkable double win for Georgia was short circuited because of the Insurrection at the capital, this podcast looks at the real meaning of the Georgia victories for Democrats and for democracy. From Into America.

Here’s what it’s about:

On the afternoon of January 6th, the nation was gripped by the images of Trump supporters charging the Capitol building as Congress gathered to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College win. These scenes brought to bear what so many democracy-loving people across this country have long feared, that Trump’s final days as President would end violently. But hours earlier, attention was on the Georgia Senate races, where Democrat Reverend Raphael Warnock won his runoff election against Republican Kelly Loeffler. Rev. Warnock, the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, spiritual home of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., will become the first Black senator from the state of Georgia. He’ll be the second Black senator from the South since Reconstruction.

Jaime Harrison is a Warnock supporter. Harrison ran for Senate this year in South Carolina. He lost his race, but turned his attention to his political action committee, Dirt Road PAC, putting money behind Warnock and Jon Ossoff, who ran for and won Georgia’s other Senate seat. These dual victories mean Democrats take control of the US Senate this year.

Jaime Harrison joins Trymaine Lee to reflect on the significance of Warnock’s win and the path forward for Democrats.

Click here to access this resource.

An easy way to contact your representatives:

Click here to access this resource.

Self Care

Finding Steady Ground: Strengthening Our Spirits to Resist and Thrive in These Times

Beautiful self-care article. Everyone should read this today so we can remember how to stay centered for the long-haul. Thanks to Nona Olivia for the link.

Click here to access this resource.

Writing Related

Fixing Bad Writing in Creative Nonfiction is Not Politically Correct, it’s Essential

An excellent article from Brevity Nonfiction Blog about why it’s important for writers to call each other out on writing than leans into stereotypes about race, disability and other issues—and why it’s not just being “politically correct.” By Kristin Gallagher.

Click here to access this resource.

Entertainment

Joan Baez Mischief Makers 2: An intimate evening with the Artist on the occasion of her 80th Birthday

Jan 9, 2021 5:30 PM PST / 7:30 PM CST

In celebration of the artist’s 80th birthday, a reception will be live-streamed at 5:30 p.m. (PT) January 9 with an interview with Baez, a virtual tour of the show and other festivities and “mischief” to mark this milestone occasion.

The follow up to Baez’s sold out solo show in 2017, her debut as a visual artist, Mischief Makers 2 features a whole new cast of luminaries and activists in a range of fields — from politics and public health to literature, sports, music and entertainment, environmentalism, spirituality and the counter culture.

A couple of her portraits made news in 2020. As part of her get-out-the-vote campaign for the 2020 presidential election, Joan’s portrait of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris went viral when she posted it with the word “badass.” Her portrait of Dr. Anthony Fauci also ignited the Internet when she wrote “Trust” alongside his image, a rebuke of right-wing attacks on the country’s foremost infectious disease expert.

The show also features portraits of singer-songwriter Patti Smith, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, filmmaker Michael Moore, quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick, gun control activist Emma Gonzalez, counter culture icon Wavy Gravy and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and activist Alice Walker. As she did in the first Mischief Makers, Joan includes a self-portrait, this one titled “Black is the Color.” Limited edition prints of the self-portrait as well as those of Bob Dylan, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony Fauci, and Emma Gonzalez will also be made available and on display in the gallery.

The archived stream is available on-demand until February 14th

Click here to access this resource.

Art and Music for the Soul

Powerful words and performance from the Alvin Ailey Dancers:

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Featured Students

What is the The Writer’s Journey Roadmap?

I send out inspiring quotes and provocative writing prompts via email Tuesday. You can collect them for their own use—or you can post your writing online and enter into dialogue and conversation with a very supportive group of writers who have made this part of their weekly writing practice.

I invite you to become part of my brilliant, supportive, intimate, honest, inspiring free online community.

I hope to see you up on the Roadmap soon!

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Like this Virtual Vacation?

You can also read about Laura’s travels to:

Peru 2017

In which Laura and Karyn and 18 writers explore Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of Peru.

Serbia 2017

In which Laura leads a workshop at the Incest Trauma Center.

Greece 2016

In which Laura explores the wonders of Crete and Santorini with a wide-eyed group of Write, Travel, Transform adventurers.

Vietnam 2015/16

In which Laura, who grew up during the Vietnam War, goes to Southeast Asia and finds out what Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are really like today.

Commonweal 2015

A journey toward healing loss and grief in a magnificent Northern California setting.

Scotland 2015

In which Laura returns to Scotland with a new group for another jaunt through the wonders of the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland 2013

In which Laura attends the Edinburgh theatre festival and leads 14 writers to a magical retreat in the highlands of Northern Scotland.

Bali 2013

In which Laura visits Australia, and spends three weeks diving, exploring, and teaching in three regions of Bali.

Florida 2014

A journey into old age in America in which Laura brings her 86-year-old mother to Florida so she can see her last surviving sister one final time.

Mexico 2014

In which Laura attends the San Miguel Writer’s Conference and explores the artistic towns around Patzcuaro.

About Laura Davis

In the course of my career as a communicator, I have also worked as a columnist, talk show host, radio reporter, radio producer, blogger, editor, and speaker. Words have always been at the core of my work and my self-expression. Read More . . .

Photo taken by Jason Ritchey

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What People Are Saying About Laura Davis:

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Retreating with Laura: Julie Sheehan

Julie Sheehan

For many years I put off my dream of writing and traveling. I told myself the kids were too little, my husband could never survive without me, that I couldn't possibly be so selfish. I couldn't imagine realistically stepping out of all of my responsibilities and roles. Then I started attending Laura’s summer retreat at Commonweal in northern California and that became an annual gift to myself for the next three years.

When the opportunity to travel with Laura internationally came up, my Land of Later mentality said I could never pull it off. But when my friend got cancer at age 39, I decided to stop taking life and it's endless opportunities to grow, live, nurture and explore myself for granted.

My children were 6 and 9 when I began allowing myself the luxurious pleasure of taking 10 days to two weeks each year to travel abroad with Laura, to spend time with like minded, soul searching people who share a passion for living and writing, to have all my meals prepared for me, to have the space and freedom to stretch out of my cage and check in with who I am, what I want, and how best to get there.

Laura is a skilled and nurturing teacher who encourages her students to take risks, to grow as human beings, and to be vulnerable. She has provided me with a forum where I can gain all my CEUs and learn techniques on how to become a more engaging writer, all while completing yearly emotional rehab.

I return home from each of Laura’s trip a little wiser, a little more open, and a lot more compassionate. I greet my family, friends and daily life with sparkly, clean energy and a renewed patience, brought about by way of re-writing old stories that I needed to let go of. I come home ready to move forward in my life.

A retreat with Laura Davis is one of the best gifts I ever received and gave myself. It took many years to realize that I was worth the time and financial investment, but now there is no looking back.

Julie Sheehan, Livermore California

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