“Pleasure is not one of the spoils of capitalism. It is what our bodies, our human systems, are structured for; it is the aliveness and awakening, the gratitude and humility, the joy and celebration of being miraculous." -- Adrienne Maree Brown

We had a good string of blogs where the topic nicely tucked into one central theme. This week I allowed myself to be more scattered. So the title started with "Daphne's Questions, and Forts." Until I needed to find a quote and realized...amb's view on pleasure actually fits quite nicely.

Acknowledge Earth Is Our Home

Daphne!

It's a flower that I didn't know about until moving to the Pacific Northwest. Now I can't imagine a spring without it.

Before Easter daffodils or Memorial weekend's lilacs...

Before the nettles and cleavers offer their nutritious green leaves after the spring equinox...

Daphne will stop you in your tracks.

It's a green bush with potent clumps of pink flowers.

Though the color is more of a confirmation than attraction because...

Walking down the sidewalk, I always smell them before I ever see them.

The fragrance does NOT waft.

It hits your nose like a perfume counter or detergent aisle.

But unlike those assaulting chemicals, the scent of Daphne instantly makes me feel alive.

It stops me in my tracks.

Makes me look for the source.

And savor the delight of this plant and pleasure of spring.

Bush I stuck my nose all up in this week!

Discover Your Earth Archetype

As a Metaphor Earth Archetype, I'm constantly amazed by how much I learn with every part of the process of expressing and creating something.

This week, I've been focused on the sizzle reel for "How on Earth?"

For a long time, I didn't know how to tackle it because I haven't casting the hosts is down the line.

But yet, a good sizzle reel could help me get to that step.

Oh, catch 22's!

Then a mentor turned me on to Google's Year in Search videos -- and wha-la! Ideas sparked.

After finally honing the 90-120 second outline, I decided to collect selfie videos of people sharing their personal climate questions -- just like what will motivate the show's journey in each episode.

The process really highlighted the importance of this work!

Some baulked at the desire to collect "everyman" questions rather than top science level questions.

Several submissions were still too vague or inactionable.

Many were presented very straight faced with almost no emotion.

And I even got this response from one guy, "Hey sorry I won’t make it. It seems more involved that I thought."

This process showed me how unrelateable climate really still is for many people.

People that work in it.

People that don't.

People that care.

People that imagine.

All of them need a show like "How on Earth?"

To show how to articulate their questions.

To see at least 5 solutions for each one.

To work with their community to act.

So I ask you....

What question is personal (perhaps even pleasurable) to you about climate?

Here's some ideas....

* Do I have kids? How can I raise my kid while lowering impacts on climate change?

* My farm/ranch has been in drought for 10 years, what can I do?

How do I make my home more energy efficient and less moldy?

* How can I change my life to protest and boycott the most climate-damaging corporations?

* Can I have cute clothes and be climate conscious?

THEN how can your Earth Archetype help you put it into action?

Work Together in Community

In last week's blog, I shared how I was involving my community to work together to help me build a semi-permanent blanket fort.

And it turned out to be a wonderful birthday gift to myself.

Friends came in waves all afternoon and into the evening.

Starting with a friend I've known for close to 15 years.

We chatted away 1:1 for awhile, catching up on all things us.

Then guest number two got us focused outward and towards the bicycle wheel hanging from the ceiling ready to assemble.

With all kinds of playing with materials, a good amount of laughter, and a few more friends trickling in, we got the skeleton built -- complete with silly photos along the way.

As the swell of friends grew, we added more decorative elements as snacked were munched and cuddle puddles formed throughout my living room.

Then one of my dearest elder friends helped organize the last group of folks.

They put me in the fort and gave me a huge hug -- infusing it with all kinds of love.

Love that I can crawl into anytime to breath, soothe, and release.

An important nervous system regulator during these challenging times.

What a true pleasure.

Enjoy the before and after photos!

If you'd like to see the DURING pictures, join the membership where I share all kinds of behind the scenes stories.