tensions

i know i'm supposed to explode all the binaries and live into both - but in the meantime ;-) -

do i believe more in better organization and non-redundancy, or de-centralization and small community?
do i believe more in accountability or compassion?
do i believe more in self-determination or collective wellbeing?
do i believe more in infinite creativity or finite resources?
do i believe more in unified values or diversified values?
do i believe more in following our love, or seeing what the community needs and doing it?



in the movement for justice, we say so many contradictory things.
and i know that one thing we say is that we need to live into "both and." but then we also draw lines in the sand.
here we go.

be okay with being uncomfortable? or prioritize self-care and co-create safe space?
speak to the unease in our belly? or sit with the unease in our belly?
follow our heart? or join a nonviolent peace force?
critique more? or create more?
deconstruct more? or construct more?
speak out and take up space? or listen and create space?
meet people where they are at? or speak our truth from where we are at?
speak in a way that makes people want to listen? or listen even when we'd prefer not to hear? (and expect others to be able to do the same)
build bridges? or draw lines?
work within the system ("in the arena")? or work from without the system, creating new ones?
cultivate self-empowerment? or community-orientation?


I can think of SOOO many times these questions are raised in the work I do, by the people I aim to serve, or their families, or in my own heart.