Lace speaking to ’the time not accounted for…throwaway encounters that are the unami of the work’ really stood out to me. It’s so easy to get stuck on considering the audience at the time, on the to-do’s of the day, and in so doing lose opportunities around me to connect and impact in meaningful ways. Instead of rushing through to finish line, taking each moment and looking for the opportunities in ’the impromptu, the unexpected, the serendipitous’ that Lace speaks to here. I am still to often focused on the outcome, the to-do, and am certain I’ve missed a lot of opportunities for relational north-star living in the meantime. I’ll be on the lookout for those opportunities today.

“We cannot schedule out our praxis.”

This reminder is so vital for me on two fronts: 1) that full respect living is who I must be. Full stop. Because in the quiet, dark hours… *that’s* who I truly am. And 2) my rigidity to a schedule and tasks and predictability is a product of the ws culture in which I swim. It’s about efficiency and not relationship. Relational is a spontaneity that I am seeking to claim and appreciate laces model.

The entire newsletter always demonstrates how Lace and LoR live it out and do what we are being asked to do and makes me reflect on what I’m doing and not doing. The way Lace is always present and ready to engage in North Star and Full Respect Living is an incredible and encouraging example of what I’m striving for. It’s in the unplanned moments where real connection is found and I definitely have a hard time being able to let go of my plans, lists, and wanting to “get it right” in order to really go eye to eye.

We cannot schedule all of our praxis. I agree with this and also scheduling is also greatly important because white supremacy will always encourage us to delay something like coming here to this community, or having that all important chat with a relative or paying reparations because eventually delaying amounts to not showing up at all.

The part that hit home most for me was being ready to act quickly and deliberately when necessary, acting in accordance with one’s stated ethos all the time and with everyone. I am challenged by how absolute that is, but I want to make that high standard a source of encouragement and focus, rather than self-deprecation. Aiming to act ethically consistently is a good way to practice the skills required. It encourages an openness of spirit to the people around me/us. I’m glad that Lace, you are in a place to be able to support these spontaneous connections.

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</div><div>It also makes me think about following through or following up after the connection is made – being in relationship, even if it’s brief, even if it’s not.
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