News from the Trillium Center
During a workshop I apparently said “disaster preparedness is self care.”
The participant who mentioned this said it changed her perspective. I realized I’d said something important without registering it as something I should remember and repeat.
disaster preparedness is self care
Disaster preparedness is self care.
Disaster preparedness seemed overwhelming when I first began. But each step, each skill learned, over time led to peace of mind. I realize that anything can happen at any time, but having the skills, building the resources makes it easier to bear the uncertainty. As a teacher, each motion toward holding my own with room for others has helped me build a vibrant community of community medics, home herbalists, and responsible foragers.
Disaster preparedness is ancestral.
Being prepared, for most of human existence, was a responsibility. No one wanted to be caught being irresponsible because it was a life and death situation. It was just plain common sense to have a plan. I realize for some people that daily survival is as far as they can get, but if I can be prepared to help others, and you can be prepared to help others, then we have resilience. Training others to work in this direction builds community to support those who are just getting by.
Disaster preparedness is prevention.
Sometimes being prepared means that fewer problems occur when disaster strikes. When in Haiti, I remember a local interpreter telling me, “life is hard in Haiti, it was hard before the earthquake, and now…” he spread his hands in a gesture to take in the beautiful landscape that holds so much suffering.
Disaster preparedness is resistance.
I’d be surprised if there are any people on this list who believe that the people with power are going to help us much in a disaster. The government says prepare for 3-days, but many disaster zones have found themselves waiting for much longer. Mutual aid is a concept of people helping each other and from my perspective it means helping each other regardless of race, religion, gender, or any kind of othering that people use when they feel threatened. Breaking through these perceptions is resistance.
Disaster preparedness is resilience.
To continue my work on personal and community resilience, I’m offering resources and events to show you how I build resilience, what I do when I’m not feeling resilient, and the daily practices that help build resilience through herbalism.
For instance, the community medic training has been revised so that it can be completed with just one in-person training instead of three. I want to support as many people as possible by making this exercise in resilience easier to access. Check it out.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed by taking a class, reading an article, or walking with me. Even if you don’t live nearby, I know you’re out there doing the good work. I’d love to hear what you are up to…
stories of resilience
Resilience in Uncertain Times
Stories are often the best way to get an idea across. My personal stories emerge from experiences traveling, homesteading, and working in free clinics during disasters and how I translated my experiences into post-traumatic growth and resilience. These stories and more will be posted on Substack. Take a look and consider becoming a paid subscriber or make a one-time donation through Buy Me a Coffee. The more support I get, the more I can write.
Upcoming Workshops & Walks
For details or to sign up visit the Workshops & Walks page.
June 27 – Community Medic Training, Lakewood, Ohio
July 25 – Community Medic Training, Lakewood, Ohio
July 26 – Plant Walk, near Cleveland, Ohio
August 1 – Herbal First Aid: Start Your Kit, Columbus, Ohio
August 2 – Plant Walk, near Columbus, Ohio
August 22 – Summer Foraging Workshop NE Ohio
September 26 – Herbal First Aid: Start Your Kit, Lakewood, Ohio
October 2-3 – Emergent Herbalism and Community in Disaster Situations, Green Roots Convergence, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
October 4 – Plant Walk, near Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Community Distillation for Herbalism and First Aid, interested? Get in touch!
I’ll leave you with some photos from the Community Herbal Intensive – Level 1
