Global Day of Mourning

Coronavirus has ravaged the lives of every one of us on Earth. More than 1.2 million people have died. Hundreds of millions have lost their jobs. Many have lost their homes. The need to keep our distance means we can’t even hold the hands of our loved ones as they suffer or offer ceremonies after they die.

We have also lost so many dreams, visions, and possibilities. Sadness, loneliness, and anxiety make our hearts heavy. It is tempting to stay busy, so we don’t have to navigate all our complex emotions. The risk, though, is that the rising numbers of Covid cases, homeless people, incidents of domestic violence and so many other tragedies turns flat and dull in our consciousness. We cease to care.

But by opening our hearts to the grief about all has happened to our lives, our friendships, our communities, and our world, and sharing that grief with others, we discover that

• rather than feeling worse, we feel empowered and connected
• we find new energy for coping and creating solutions
• we realize deep in our hearts that we are not alone
• we recognize that, though the pandemic has affected us in different ways, we all experience sorrow, worry, and loss

JOIN RADICAL JOY FOR HARD TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY

12:00-1:00 PM Eastern time US: Opening discussion with noted speakers: Dr. Marty K. Casey, Francis Weller, and Trebbe Johnson

Join us on Facebook Live

Sharing Circle with trained facilitators

There will be two opportunities to come together with others to share the deep sorrows and surprising gifts of this time:

1:00-2:15 Eastern time
2:15-3:30 Eastern time

To assure that there is a sense of safety, space, and confidentiality, each session will be co-hosted by trained facilitators. You will be admitted at the beginning, and the room will be closed until the session is over. Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4940645595
Meeting ID: 494 064 5595
Passcode: mourning21

3:30 Eastern time: Traditional Oneida Encouragment Ceremony, led by Oneida elder Artley Skenandore

On Facebook Live

4:00-5:00 Eastern time: Live DJ’d Dance Experience on Zoom to move from grief to joy

Link to come.

SUGGESTIONS FOR OBSERVING THE GLOBAL DAY OF MOURNING

• cry
• light a candle
• pray
• spend time in silence contemplating the immensity of what has happened in our world
• say the names of those you know who have died
• say the names of those you know who have suffered (don’t forget to include yourself)
• gather with friends or family on Zoom or safely in your home and share how the pandemic has affected your life
• cry again if you need to
• do something generous for someone you know
• do something generous for a stranger
• do something generous and do it anonymously
• wear blue
• print out the Global Day of Mourning logo of the bird flying out of the broken Earth and tape it to your door or the side window of your car
• plant flowers in honor of those who have died
• play music