Inspiration, Joy, and Hope Now - February Newsletter
Hello Beautiful Beings,
Beautiful Beings,
Last month I had the opportunity to get married to my partner of 3.5 years. The weekend of festivities began with a Friday night Jewish service where I was given the opportunity to offer the D'var Torah (teaching on the torah portion, which I will be sharing online soon) where I spoke on interfaith experience in relationships and ended with our wedding itself complete with handfasting cords and a smashed glass under a huppah. I feel so blessed to have had so many dear ones come from across the country, from Kona to Boston, Phoenix to Greensboro.
Part of our wedding was about the power of community and queer love. Taking just before the inauguration, it was important for us to help our beloveds be fortified against what is to come, to make new connections to support each other, to know that we are not alone. In the ceremony itself we spoke about how there are not equal wedding rights for folks on disability, undocumented individuals, and those who have multiple partners. The issue was also brought to the forefront that our marriage was not legal when my spouse and I were growing up, and we are yet to know what will come of the next four years.
Between the wedding and the honeymoon to the Yucatán peninsula, in combination with other beauty built out of connections with my students, Patreon supporters, friends, play partners, and beloveds, I have found myself buffered against the toxicity of the current administration in the United States. I am not burying my head in the sand but also know there is such a power in community. It led to me recently writing a piece on the audacity of joy over on Patreon, based on a rich conversation I had with the amazing Z. Griss (whose dance moves and the carrying of the power of Sobonfu Somé’s work into our ceremony) where we noted that so many of those dear to us are lost in the waves.
Though I am challenged by it all, and freeze (or cry or bubble with fury) from time to time as news come day after day after day, I also find so much inspiration. I follow social media where I get regular good news of what is happening around the world (see below). I touch base every day with at least two people. I move my body and dance when no one is watching. I find ways to laugh. I find places for community and love.
What are you doing?
In the coming week I’m getting a chance not just to do 2 classes for Reign of Pain, but dance at a friend’s birthday fetê as well as read stories in Denver at The Sanctuary for the “Naughty Storytime” event. This coming week holds getting to lead a class/ritual (not recorded this month) for Patreon on determining our own personal path with rope bondage (a topic fresh in my mind right now after a recent trip to Japan where I attended a bondage salon) before heading off to the Chicago area for a private class weekend with a small group who signed up for this special experience through my Eye-to-Eye program on Patreon. Its so rich getting to design these unique experiences for individuals or groups!
There is more too over the next month! An online class on Primal Play, another on effective communication and presentation skills for educators, and even a course with CE credits for therapists and helping professionals about kink and spirituality. You can learn more about all of those below, check them out.
I’m curious though – what are you doing to stay connected? To be inspired? To take action? To keep your energy up? Let’s share ideas with each other!
Lee's Resources
Please enjoy additional resources for inspiration, joy, and possibility:
Watch animal good news daily on Instagram with Jenn the Good News Girl
Discover monthly Good News You Might Have Missed on YouTube with Sam Bently
Dance on and off to the Ecstatic Tribal Dance extended playlist
Read some articles from the Good News Network
"He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened." - Lao Tzu
What you're missing over on Patreon
In the past few weeks, I have had a chance to connect with my Patrons regularly through:
Let The Lines Run Deep (essay)
I am How I Do (essay)
Glitter is My Weapon (essay)
Noticing The River (essay)
The Audacity of Joy (prose)
Desert Violet Domme
Enjoy our discussion on self-love, solo dominance, and being the you that you need.
Upcoming Appearances
I have a number of exciting upcoming classes and events!
Reign of Pain
Determining Your Risk
Profile & Pain Is Inevitable, Suffering Is Optional: Techniques for Erotic Pain Processing
February 22nd-23rd
PST: 6am (2/22) - 8pm (2/23); EST: 9am 2/22 - 11pm 2/23
Reign of Pain
Online Worldwide
Naughty Storytime
Turning Ties Inward: Finding Your Unique Path in Rope
Understanding Kink and Spirituality
for therapists and helping professionals - CE credits available
Primal Play: Hunter, Hunted, Predator, Prey
Effective Presenting & Speaking Skills
To check out all my further scheduled classes and intensives throughout the year (and more being added regularly), visit my Upcoming Appearances page to learn more. I also have upcoming events in Portland, Denver, Tulsa, and on an array of online platforms and conferences. To enjoy further free material from me, consider joining me on Patreon where I share weekly resources, monthly classes, and more :)
Much love to you all and see you soon!
Yours in Passion and Soul,
Lee Harrington
http://www.PassionAndSoul.com
