What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be?

Abeja Rise Substack no.05

Hi friend. I recently saw this question, “What kind of ancestor do you want to be?,” posed by Chantelle Bacigalupo. We’ll explore this below, but first we need to talk about something. We need to talk about what’s happening in Gaza.

This is not a war. This is genocide.

jenanmatari

A post shared by @jenanmatari

If you don’t know where you fall on this issue or if you are pro-Israel, I highly encourage you to check out these resources.

Do your research:

Found via Alán Pelaez Lopez:

• Palestine Reading List

• Visualizing Palestine 101

• Settler colonialism and the elimination of the native

• La generación de 1927: la segunda gran oleada de migración palestina a Guatemala (available in Spanish and Portuguese)

Found via C:

• PS🏴 - Instagram highlight (MANY direct accounts and opportunities to show up)

• A helpful call-in - Instagram carousel post

• Another helpful call-in - Instagram carousel post (Direct accounts of what’s happening)

Jenan Matari’s Instagram - tons of resources directly from a Palestinian

Take action now:

• Stop the Gaza Genocide - get connected directly to your senators’ and house representatives’ offices, includes a script to speak with each one. Make those calls!

• October 23 Protests - find local protests near you to join

• Stop Gaza Genocide Action Toolkit - a Google doc with regular updates on many resources of how to take action now

Take care of yourself too:

From Sam Garcia:

• Nervous System Regulation for Change Workers + Activists

This is not about a debate over which side you should support.

This is an opportunity to participate in necessary abolition.

This is an opportunity to demand an end to the killing of Palestinians.

This is an opportunity to do something different for Palestine & for collective liberation.

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This is why, more than ever, Chantelle Bacigalupo’s question is so important. Chantelle asks us to be present with the past, the now, and the future when she asks:

What kind of ancestor do you want to be?

The most recognized idea of an ancestor is someone in your family line that has passed. Because some of us don’t have strong connections to family for whatever reason, I want to gently challenge that recognized idea. Ancestors can also mean chosen family, heroes/icons, pets or animals in general, your plants or a tree you spiritually connect with, and so on. We are spiritually connected to everything in this world and beyond - it can serve us to recognize those connections within and outside of the traditional family lineage as those who have come before us.

When we talk about ancestors in reference to the self, we are talking about our impact on the future, whether it’s physical, emotional, social, spiritual, political, etc.

There are so many opportunities to step up right now for our fellow people on this planet, local communities, ourselves, and beyond. Every one of these opportunities has ripple effects that will radiate throughout time. That idea might feel big or overwhelming to you, so start small if you need to but start nevertheless.

Over the summer, I shared with you some tools to explore what you want out of life. Now I ask you to use those tools to answer this question. What do you want to leave to the future of existence?

What is being asked of you when we talk about:

• the future of Palestinians?

• the future of our climate and planet?

• the future of our communities?

…and so many more.

What would your life look like if you allowed this question - what kind of ancestor do you want to be - to fuel your actions for the rest of your life? Channel that inspiration, that fuel, that force into action.

Start now. Take one step in alignment with this question today.

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I was recently a guest on Sarita Buer’s podcast, Back to Here with Sarita. I shared some of my story navigating death and how we collectively can make space for each other and our losses. You can listen to the episode here.

Here are some other places I’ve been lately.

Lastly, if you have ever received an intuitive reading from me (virtually or in-person), please share your experience with me in review and/or constructive feedback. You can do that on this Google Form. Thank you!

Here are some cool things:

• Mystic Mondays Healing Herbology Oracle Deck on Kickstarter - support a woman of color, Grace Duong, release a new oracle deck. I love the Mystic Monday tarot deck so I’m excited about this new release!

• Spiritual Practice as an Act of Resistance on #WeAllGrow Latina - This talk with the Brujas of Brooklyn took place 3 years ago and is still so relevant and needed.

• 25+ ethical alternatives to Amazon - from PollyBarks with lists in helpful categories, just in time for the upcoming shopping season. If you’re gonna participate in that, here is an opportunity to do something different.

• Common Mistakes We Make When Supporting Others & What to Do Differently - PDF resource guide from Project LETS with some helpful info to show up better for others.

• Wheels 4 Lilac - a GoFundMe for Disability Justice organizer and activist for over ten years, Lilac Vylette Maldonado, is in need of a wheelchair-accessible van. Let’s show up for Lilac.

Thank you for sharing space with me. I appreciate you.

💗 Jen Venegas