winter belief meditation
“Belief
Initiates and guides action—
Or it does nothing.”
— Octavia Butler
as the year comes to a close and we move toward the winter solstice and the quiet turning inward of the sun, we at SUSU commUNITY farm are reflecting on an extraordinary five-year journey.
together, we planted and nurtured a farm. and we built a homeplace. a sanctuary of connection, reciprocity, ritual, and care.
in so many moments when the world felt uncertain or isolating, SUSU came into existence as a homeplace and sanctuary where community could breathe again. through your partnership, we nourished hundreds, inspired thousands, and cultivated trust, root-by-root and hand-by-hand. to name just a few specifics, we:
provided 18 weeks of the box of resilience CSA to 35 families, supporting food sovereignty, nourishment, and consistency for households navigating economic and systemic instability.
operated a volunteer-driven growing, harvesting, and packaging model, including a full community land opening in the spring and collective stewardship throughout the summer which has deepened shared ownership of the land while reducing operational strain.
hosted out in the open, creating space for healing, dialogue, and cultural expression rooted in Black and land-based traditions and welcomed the african american society, strengthening intergenerational and cultural connections to the land.
facilitated an unbodying in-person intensive, advancing SUSU’s healing justice work and reinforcing the farm as a sanctuary for embodied practice and restoration.
piloted earned-revenue pathways that support long-term sustainability while sharing the abundance of the land with the broader community.
hosted youth learners in the spring, introducing young people to land stewardship, food systems, and healing-centered education.
as we close this year, we pause to honor everything we have created together. every story shared.
every circle held. every act of care offered and received. with gratitude, we offer you this meditation on belief, inspired by Octavia Butler and by the land we are on as it rests this winter season.
winter belief meditation
in this season when the colors start to fade
and the darkness sets in
we are gifted an opportunity to devote our attention
to the present moment
the land teaches us so much
about how to slow down, how to turn inward
how to move thoughtfully enough to take in
their teachings
this season invites us to acknowledge the fullness of what has been
the sounds of the crunching snow
the melting ice dripping off the barn glimmering in the sunlight
the flow of the rivers
the singing of the birds
the challenges we met with courage
the growth we witnessed
and the collective strength we built
we enter a time of radical imagination
remembering the wisdom in our bones
remembering to come home to our bodies
and reclaiming our hope and belief.
belief that moves into action reshapes what is possible
so we can dream impossible possible futures together.
your year-end gift is an asé and an amen.
a blessing placed upon the work already done. you say, “i see what we did together, and i honor it.” you are affirming the power of belief that moves into action, and you are dreaming impossible possible futures with us.
with deep gratitude for your belief in this work,
the SUSU commUNITY farm team
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