Week 2 of Rest
It's harder than it looks
Thank you to everyone who messaged, liked, and shared the (Black) Calendar of Rest week 1. Obviously the goal is complete this a month at a time, but the designing time was more than I anticipated.
If it feels good, let me know you like it and want more by “buying me a coffee.” Or you can buy me a coffee for any other reason, ha. I would greatly appreciate your support to spread the word about this project.
In October, the five-day workweek was first sanctioned. I know I’m not alone in thinking we could have gone without that. Some will spend all month preparing for a party or a neighborhood candy hunt or an ofrenda. Some will spend all month remembering an underground Black spiritual practice by dedicating themselves to certain tasks each day. October marks the beginning of the fourth quarter and many of us are pushing to make end of year goals.
(Black) Calendar of Rest
October is an interesting month. Just after the autumnal equinox, people in the Northern United States begin bringing out their jackets and boots and across the Western world, we become interested in pumpkins, spiced ales, soups and cider. The month begins with Libra and ends with Scorpio, and the season of remembrance…
Please consider purchasing my books of poems or a paid subscription to my Substack where I will write about the poetry, books, and music I most love to read and listen to. You can order week 2 and pre-order the rest of this digital calendar for the month (or through the end of the year - name your own price).
At least one high school teachers seemed to agree that this could be your emergency substitute plans and your extension activities for students who always finish early. When I sub for English class, I will be looking here first when their work is done.
I am in a very difficult season of my life and I am endlessly thankful to people who have been on the frontlines of it for four months. I have a goal to be able to breathe through the end of the year, or at least until I get my first substitute checks on Nov. 1. Any little bit helps.
I did a lot of research to fill in this calendar, but I know there is so so much more. Feel free to message me and let me know what and who you would like to remember in the second half of October.
A NOTE:
If you see something on this calendar that is offensive or off putting and it jars you from the idea of rest:
FIRST - please let me know.
SECOND - check to see if anything else on the menu could promote rest for you.
THIRD - take a second to meditate on the lives of Black folx on colonized land one or two hundred years ago. Sometimes we feel like they had no options. I think, however, that there were pockets of people who worked to protect their rest and peace by any means necessary. I think we may be able to find inspiration in their creativity and resilience despite the threats to their happiness.