Ep 37 (10 Reprise): Feeling Rage, Finding Joy: Managing Emotions in Justice Work

QUICK EPISODE OVERVIEW
As the election season concludes, Tracie asks April for advice on working through the negative emotions that sometimes accompany justice work. The two friends unpack the ways we've been taught to associate anger or rage with justice work (and anxiety with intelligence), and April shares suggestions for achieving the positive effects of BOTH feeling your feelings AND cultivating joy and presence.

Find April and Tracie's full bios and submit topic suggestions for the show at www.JewsTalkRacialJustice.com

Learn more about Joyous Justice where April is the founding and fabulous (!) director and Tracie is a senior partner: https://joyousjustice.com/
Read more of Tracie's thoughts at bmoreincremental.com

Resources for further learning:
Thich Naht Hanh on Dealing with Strong Emotions
Rabbi David Jaffe's book Changing the World from the Inside Out

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

How have you been emotionally during this intense election season? How have you been balancing rage and anger with joy? 

April shares some of the healing modalities that she has cultivated. What healing modalities have you developed to get you to the other side of tough emotions and to move you towards what you want in the world? 

We learn from April that anger and other “negative” emotions can help us clarify what we want. How might tough emotions and experiences pave a path forward towards your goals and a better world? Can you think of an instance when you’ve had this mindset?

In April’s practice, her anger is always honored and sacred. How do you honor your anger and hold it sacred? What do you do or tell yourself in these moments?

When do you find it easier to cultivate joy or relaxation while experiencing tense emotions? When do you find it more difficult?

April and Tracie bring up relaxation, curiosity, wonder, comfort, release, and relief among positive emotions like joy. Which ones resonate most with you and in which situations? Why?

Tracie pointed out that the phrase “It shouldn’t have happened” is not useful in tough moments. How does the language you use to shape how you navigate tough realities? How might it better shape the direction you’re going in?