As I shared in my previous post, reclamation is needed on an individual basis.

Reclamation is also needed on a societal basis.

Just as we individually want to feel whole again, groups of us do as well – particularly those who have been historically marginalized. Reclamation needs to happen for many groups of people including Indigenous people, people of color, Black people, queer folks, women, people with disabilities and many more.

These groups have been disempowered. Some have faced unthinkable atrocities. Some have generations of trauma.

Reclamation for groups feels more complicated than for individuals. As the world evolves, it is hard to say what it means for a group to be whole as the conditions of life that once existed for them may no longer be available. Though ultimately, both individuals and groups want to be humanized. They want to be seen and to feel care, acceptance and belonging. Can the impact of reclamation be so simple?

Reclaiming is one of my favorite words.

I love it because it feels powerful and in control. I also love it because it means that I am going for what once was mine, what once already lived within me. As if an injustice has been served and I am correcting it.

As a mother, one of the most beautiful things I have been able to witness are my children becoming themselves. I always tell others that I’m trying my best not to break my children because they are so wise and beautiful and powerful already.

What this world has done to many, many little humans is tear them down so that they no longer have a strong sense of self because the world would rather we be subservient than powerful. Being torn from our identity and our power is a tragedy.

Reclamation is my goal- for myself as well as for everyone I come in contact with. We all deserve to feel powerful and whole.

A friend recently re-discovered journaling, and we talked about why it is such a powerful practice.

One thing I realized in the conversation is that journaling allows us to see ourselves. It allows us to see ourselves in our best away from the hustle and excitement, and it allows us to see ourselves at our worst – the version of ourselves that we may want to keep hidden forever.

Being able to write and then read what we wrote helps integrate the dual aspects of who we are.

Journaling also helps us get the voices in our heads onto paper. As I journaled today, I realized that some of what I was writing was not me! Eckhart Tolle describes the two I’s as the “Surface I” and the “Deep I.” I have described it as the ego and the real me.

It is not easy to differentiate the ego vs. the real us when they are in our heads. Thoughts ricochet at a constant rate. However, when the I’s are on paper or screen, it gives us reason to pause. Thoughts have to slow down a little bit in order to capture them, write them or read them.

Journaling can be one of the most profound tools in slowing down our thoughts, identifying patterns and finding the real version of ourselves.

You may feel led to go down a certain path or to do a certain thing.

Listen to your gut.

Go down that path or go try to do that thing.

And then when you are partway there, stop and re-evaluate.

Be sure to check in often.

Just because your gut says to do something does not mean that you are supposed to go all the way.

I have found that my intuition often tells me the next step to take. Now that next step may feel like it automatically means I am heading towards a certain destination, but really, my gut is only telling me to go towards it.

I used to think I wasn’t intuitive because I would make the mistake in going all the way. I had to practice listening to my gut so that I could understand what it really wanted me to do. Communication in any relationship, gut included, is built over time. Listen and play and you’ll be able to better understand your gut.

That thing you really want to do.

The idea that has been burning a hole in your notebook. The business you want to start. The book you want to write. The community project you want to launch. The afterschool program you want to start.

Why haven’t they been created yet?

It is so easy to convince ourselves that there is someone else who will do it better than us. Someone who is more resourced. Someone who can make it much more successful.

But is there really someone else?

The idea was born in you, which means only you can carry it out in the way you know how it should be.

So maybe the question should be – if not you, then who and how?

Is that “how” satisfactory? Will someone else really do it better than you? Will they do justice to the vision that you have?

My guess is probably not.