Reflections on Keynoting the “Rooted in Community and Connection” Conference

What happens when 120+ educators, artists, and activists gather to explore what it means to be rooted in community, to flow with creativity, and to face resistance with open hearts? Jennifer Johnson and I were honored to keynote the E3 Washington Conference this year with a three-day collaborative offering. Together, through mural-painting, collaborative poetry, movement, and deep reflection, we created a living experience—rooted in art, grown by community, and shaped by nature herself.

Day 1: Stones in the River

We opened the space by inviting participants inward. Through poetry, meditation, reflection, and choice, we asked each participant to tune into the resistance inside of them, to call up and name that resistance. We asked the question: What stops you?.....Read more here.

Collaborative poem, written by many, refined by Jen, freely given to all.

Brave and Steady Step into the River. Release all you carry.

Roots expand, Seeking stability, Cracking Through Shame To Reveal Truth.

Water, we implore, Hold us in Connection. Weightless and free. A community of glinting networks, Flowing through space and time.

Water disregards resistance~ Choosing the least.She offers no attention to that which

Attempts

To stop

 Flow

Block or challenge, innate power to

Overcome Anything in the path.

Generations ebb and flow Relenting cycles of energy Grinding down Damming beliefs and limiting patterns.

Water seeps through soil and Secrets. Trusting the ever-changing phases of the moon.

Committed to relentless renewal, Steady transformations And the quick fury of flood and downpour.

Water tells us there is no past, Only the timeless dances of change.

Awareness through resistance Licking the soil’s banks, Rolling rocks of despair Up the shore where new life Reaches in, lifts them up To skip atop the water in song

And joy

Water is infinite, as our we Which is to say, not at all. And yet, she is abundant life force.

Ruthless compassion, Showing us how to disappear, Evaporate, renew And begin again.