The knowledge we hold

Over the past couple of months, I have been having conversations with a number of super smart people about the things that affect us all: climate disaster, the us-and-them-mentality, financial instability, inequality of all kinds, and the overarching manner in which we approach it all, namely, with urgency unchecked by our need for rest.

I always come away from these conversations invigorated and grateful. There is so much wisdom around. So many people seeing something is wrong and trying to change it. So much thinking into how to do things differently, better, how to learn collectively from the things we have already tried.

When I put it all together, what it says to me is this: we already know. We do. We already know how to halt the warming of the planet. We already know how to not burn out. We already know how to love each other. We already know how to uplift our different skills, how to share learning, how to just share.

Do we do it, though? To some extent, some days more than others.

I was reminded of this dynamic today, as I came across a note I had written to a friend more than 10 years ago. I’ll spare you the sentimentality, but basically what it said was this: I just realized that I feel better when I eat regularly, exercise a moderate amount, and take time for creativity, social activity, and recuperation alone. Every day.

I know this. I have known this … for more than a decade.

Do I do it, though?

To some extent, some days more than others.