Activism isn’t easy. The potential for loss of energy and burnout is high. We’ve partnered with ThirdAct in creating an on-line gathering series to address this challenge. The idea is simple: bring in a guest and have a conversation (via Zoom). The hope is that folks leave with some new perspectives/practices that will help navigate the psychological ups and downs of climate (and other big issue) activism.
The series is new this year and it’s been a hit. We’ve had guests with expertise in the neuroscience of meditation/contemplation, the filmmakers behind the wonderful “Reflections of Life” project, a writer/storyteller who spoke about the grassroots peace process in Northern Ireland, and one of the authors of “The Upswing” – a powerful book about the history of the progressive movement in the US.
We are setting up the lineup for the 2nd half of 2024. We will post that information soon.
You definitely don’t need to be a Third Act volunteer to be welcome to join any of our events. We do ask that you respect the idea that these events are about finding hope and joy in a challenging world. And, that most of the attendees are active volunteers trying, as best they can, to address the goals and objectives of ThirdAct.org.
‘Ikigai’ is a Japanese concept that combines the terms ‘iki’ (‘alive’ or ‘life’) with and ‘gai’ (‘benefit’ or ‘worth’). Third Act volunteers have come together around the mission of Third Act, and what that work means to our communities and our kids – now and in the future. That sense of ikigai binds us together. It’s also the reason we’re refired, not retired.
As rational observers of the world who’ve been around the block a few times, we aren’t naïve about our work. Between reading the news and talking to the people around us, it’s not hard to find reasons to be less than optimistic. Yet, we share hope. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be doing what we do.