Holding Book 2 Close + Speaking Out

The big news around this campfire is that Prayers of Honoring VOICE is complete. I finished writing it. I’m not sure why it always amazes me when I finish something!

I’m enjoying being complete, but must confess that I want more time to release it to the world- just to sit with it quietly and not hustle it to the press.

My team and I had originally scheduled it for release at Amazon just before the election in November (tick tock). I consulted someone who knows a great deal more than I do about the beauty of launching calmly and she advised offered me permission to sit back… instead of plowing forward like a head-down bull. What a strange new idea!! And hello to the challenges of walking my self-care talk.

Thing is, it’s a vulnerable creation and I need to hold it close for a little while. Sort of like keeping a baby all swaddled up while you sort out the emotions which come from realizing you don’t actually possess anything-babies and books have to fly out into the world on their own wings. We just get to nurture and cuddle them for a bit until they’re ready. It’s bittersweet, really.

There are so many things happening in this world (and this America) that are asking for us to SPEAK OUT in a bold way, but not just at Facebook or Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat.

Here are a few items I’ve seen in the past few days that said “BOLD VOICE ALERT”:

I see an unsuspecting man wearing “feminist” across his chest.

I see all colors among countless tipis and horseback warriors peppering the Sacred Stone Camp in Cannon Ball, North Dakota gathering the tribes and holding the line.

I see a black singer being pulled off deck minutes before singing the national anthem at an NBA game for wearing a “We Matter” shirt.

I see a Mexican artist challenging gender norms and a nation ready to legalize same-sex marriage

I see a queer white man raising a battle cry to align with black brothers and sisters against injustice and violence in Bend, Oregon.

I see a woman who designed an app to monitor chemical pollutants in water in remote areas of the world. The U.N. predicts that half of the world is expected to be in a water crisis by 2030.

I see a bold man giving “bystander intervention” trainings to curtail high school and college campus violence and rape.

I see a loving, passionate elder speaking from the grave reminding people to unify.

I see a local movement for women and girls growing stronger.

I see mandatory outdoor education for school children measures on my ballot.

 

It seems to be that the era of VOICE is upon us now more than ever. This is good and right.

Soon enough you will have a book of very personal prayers to support you, too.

 

Book cover design for Prayers of Honoring VOICE by Stacy de la Rosa