February 2017 e-Newsletter: Marching on Madison

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Dear Friends,

Saturday, January 21, 2017 was a life changing day. I marched on Madison with 50 women from our local community; mothers and daughters, sisters, grandmothers comprising 100,000 “friends” standing in peace, unity and taking action in solidarity with millions of other human beings around the globe. On that day, we all witnessed the fierce power and the emergence of feminine values rising up: relationships, connection, nurturing and interdependency throughout the world. This movement is peaceful, respectful, unified and filled with grace.

I marched in honor of those who have come before me, upon who’s shoulders I stand, the abolitionists, suffragettes and Civil Rights protestors all fighting for a dream, a new world that is more humane, just and fair for all people. I marched because as a woman, I now have the privilege to vote, to obtain a college degree and to build a career so it is my duty to stand for future generations who will be living in the Nation and inheriting this Earth.

It is up to us to keep our energy and our attention focussed on what we are fighting for. Let’s continue to gather and express ourselves, supporting one another in our dreams for new beginnings, to envision what is possible and to articulate that vision. Let our fierce love move us forward to change the things we will no longer accept and to be the change we want in our world.

May we all find peace within and respond to life from our center,

Blessings,

Dr. Melissa

“So often activism is based on what we are against, what we don’t like, what we don’t want. And yet we manifest what we focus on. And so we are manifesting yet ever more of what we don’t want, what we don’t like, what we want to change. So for me, activism is about a spiritual practice as a way of life. And I realized I didn’t climb the tree because I was angry at the corporations and the government; I climbed the tree because when I fell in love with the redwoods, I fell in love with the world. So it is my feeling of ‘connection’ that drives me, instead of my anger and feelings of being disconnected.” – Julia Butterfly Hill