Spring

In honor and celebration of Women's History Month we encourage the following Calls to Action. Join in personal action steps by committing yourself to one or all of the following Calls. Together we can create a Movement of Change. 

• REFLECT! What does femininity mean to you? How have gender norms influenced your personal story? How does this story inform the injustices & privileges associated with gender norms? 

• ACKNOWLEDGE a womxn who has made a positive impact in your life.  
  
• FIND a local or international gender equity group and attend an event, research their work & let them know your thoughts. 

• SPEAK OUT when hearing/reading/observing gender bias either in person or on social media outlets.

In solidarity of Earth Day we are focusing on the topic of Environmental Justice during the month of April. This year's theme, "Protect Our Species"  informs this months Calls to Action.

Join us in committing yourself to one or all of the following CALLS. Together we can make progress in this Movement of Change.

• REFLECT! Reflect on what environmental justice mean to you? What role do other Earth species play in your life? How does this inform what "Protecting Our Species" means for you? 

• ACKNOWLEDGE the diverse earth species that live on this planet, as well as species whom experience exploitation or have gone extinct due to human practices such as 
  • Climate Change
  • Animal Farming/Amusement Parks 
  • Human Trafficking/Slave Trades
  • Toxic Tourism

• FIND local community justice groups & legislative campaigns that focus on informing and changing current exploitative norms. 

• ACT OUT!!  Commit to countering current exploitation practices. 
  • Boycott & expose industry businesses that exploit humans and animals for profit such as slave trades, human trafficking, unfair wages, animal farming, animal amusement parks, ect.
  • Reduce pollution of land, oceans & water sources which harm the wellness of life sustaining resources on the planet.  
    • research and read up on the latest New Green Deal legislation aimed at combating Climate Change. 
    • reduce use of single use items
    • refill & reuse  
    • repurpose "trash" into storage containers or fun a 3D art activiy 
    • recycle
    • No foam! Long Beach is one of many cities going Foam Free. 
  • Reduce your fossil fuel footprint. Do this by:
    • Going vegan!  
    • Carpooling or using non-gas fueled vehicles 
    •  Reducing your consumption of plastic, for this month by 1/2 with efforts to going Plastic Free

This  month we focus on the collective needs of all humans, to feel a sense  of belonging and access to resources that bring forth BodyMind health  for all.

Our Call this month is in connection to 

Mental Health Awareness Month and World Day for Cultural Diversity in Dialogue & Development, on May 21st. We explore these aspects of wellness and how it is a deep part of feeling included (or not).  We do this to spark connection to our Global Justice Campaigns #3 and #7.  

Join us by partaking in one or ALL of these Calls of Action.

• REFLECT!  What does wellness mean to you? Where in your body do you feel the  impact of being well/unwell? How do you know you are well? What does  BodyMind Wellness mean to you?
• ACKNOWLEDGE  the process and access to wellness is dynamic, and thus not two persons  will experience BodyMind Wellness in the exact same ways. Honor your  unique ways by showing yourself kindness, and taking the time needed to  explore this. Also, find your community and build unity among those whom  support your wellness. 
• FIND  local and virtual resources to support your overall holistic wellness.  Consider new places to seek out needed resources, and expand your  network. Some aspects of your wellness to consider include:     
  • Access/lack of access to sustainable healthy housing 
  • Environmental factors that impact overall health, such as toxic air, pollution, access to clean water, ect
  • Media consumption and benefit to decolonize the mind
  • Nutrition/Food Security and benefit to heal the bodymind 
  • Social Support Systems and the benefits to feelings of inclusion & compassion
  • Spiritualism and access to BodyMind wellness
  • Stress/Trauma (self and inter-generational)  
• ACT  OUT! Once you have reflected, and uncovered some of your needs, decide  what aspects of wellness are currently being met, and which ones need  improving. Commit to acting towards one activity during this month that  promotes your healing & holistic wellness 

September recognizes the importance of democratic participation as a core element from which peace can reside.  We do this in alignment with Sep. 15th, International Day of Democracy & Sep. 20th International Day of Peace, by interlinking all 7 of our Global Justice Campaigns . 

The theme of "Participation" as central to democracy is further elaborated by the theme of climate actions in an effort to combat climate change. We do this as Agents ready to protect Mother Earth and promote peace across the Globe.

Join this Movement for change by partaking in any of the following Calls to Action. 

• REFLECT!
  • What does democracy mean to you?
  • How have you experienced peace?
  • What role do you play in the creation and experience of democracy & peace for yourself, your community and the world?
• ACKNOWLEDGE the role democracy & peace provides as a natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights, and global liberation.  
• FIND resources, organizations and community groups that promote democracy which is equitable, inclusive and participatory. Here are a few to get you started:
  • Center for Applied Non Violent Action
  • Food Not Bombs
  • Justice Democrats 
  • Pathways to Peace
  • Peace Alliance
  • United Nations 
  • United States Institute of Peace
  • Learn more about the proposed 28th amendment , green new deal,  climate change , non-violent action & peace philosophy found in notions such as ahimsa, pono &/or Kukulkan-Quetzalcoatl (to name a few).
• ACT OUT!  Activate your participation in building a more democratic peaceful society. There are may ways to do this. Here are a few ideas, but remember we each play a role so explore what stage you are in &  what resources you have to lean on. Then, partake in any small or large ways. Together we can create change by raising consciousness within, and sharing it through actualized democratic actions and peaceful living.  
  • For Self: Meditate, self- reflect (write it down!) and engage in activities that allow you to explore what these topics have meant and currently mean, to you.  
    • Focus on the notion of peace as you "look" inward.
  • For Community: Link up with a local or international group to discuss what & how democracy shall be expressed in context of your environment. 
    • What is the most crucial societal reality that requires addressing in order to build a democratic society?
    • How does peace as a value inform our definition and action steps regarding democracy ?
  • As a Global Citizen: Identify where your values regarding democracy & peace overlap. Begin to act in ways both within and with others, that align with the interconnected nature of peace and democracy.
    • Focus on the notion of UNITY, seeing the interconnected nature of all things on this planet. 
    • Find your "entry point" & link up with support networks so you are ready and capable to take action in support of these values. 

  
  

  Tag your efforts on social media #DemocracyofChange #ChangeAgent #SocialChangeCoalition

October explroes the momentum of change created by LGBTQAI+ activists. This month's Calls honors LGBTQ history month, in alignment with our Global Justice Campaign 2 & 7. 

Join our Movement by involving yourself in any of the following Calls to Action. 

• REFLECT! What does inclusion mean to you? What role has the LGBTQ community played in your life?
• ACKNOWLEDGE the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender icons, or community members whom have paved the way to discuss, explore and honor the unique experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. 
• FIND and seek out the stories of LGBTQIA actors. 
  • Explore LGBTQ History Month website 
  • Listen/watch to LGTBQ podcasts, short films. 
  • Read a biography or non-fiction story based on a LGBTQ member.
• ACT OUT! Thanks to the leadership & persistence of many amazing activists inclusion is becoming a more common practice across the globe. But there is still work to do. Share the knowledge you learn as you reflect and research. Act as an ally by supporting local LGBTQIA+ spaces. 

#GlobalJustice #LGBTQhistorymonth