Last Cut Project

“Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it.”⁣⁣⁣
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~ Arundhati Roy, ‘The pandemic is a portal,” originally printed in the Financial Times on April 3, 2020⁣⁣⁣
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Roy’s words have echoed in my head. 2020 has affected us all in unique and often deeply uncomfortable ways. The circumstances of this year have unraveled and ravished. We have been asked to be flexible, pivot, fight (for our wellness, racial justice and democracy), and ultimately surrender. We could no doubt focus on all the things missed or disrupted throughout 2020. The list of moments to grieve—both personal and collective—is long, and we will tend to that mourning in time. In the meantime, what if we take a minute to acknowledge what has been found? What if we reflect on what we have learned or unlearned during this year riddled with pandemic, politics and pressure? As Roy offers, what do we want to carry forth and fight for in this uncertain world?⁣⁣⁣
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If you want to hear more of my reflections, you can read all about what I am leaving behind in my last (monthly) newsletter of the year, which comes out today. Sign up via link in bio to receive additional book discounts, to stay in touch and also to hear about upcoming LCP projects and workshops. ⁣⁣⁣
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As always, I appreciate your presence here deeply. Through the end of the year, for every LAST CUT book bought, I will send you a second copy for free (buy one, get one for a friend). I have gone back to my book consistently this year—personally and in my teaching. As we move through the ongoing change and layers of grief, the LAST CUT framework offers a road map for navigating our hurt and our growth. ⁣
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Stay connected. Stay safe. Stay well. ⁣
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x

via Michael Singer ✁ “In truth, the very responsibility of having to hold it together is itself a form of suffering. You notice this most when things start to fall apart outside. Your psyche goes into turmoil, and you have to struggle to hold your inner world together. But what exactly are you holding onto? The things in there are your thoughts, emotions, and movements of energy, none of which are solid. They are like clouds, simply coming and going through vast inner space. But you keep holding onto them, as though consistency can substitute for stability.” —Michael Singer

via Samantha Paige ✁ “Please know I am thinking of you all right now- those of you who are immunocompromised, older than 60 and still showing up to work to make the few things left ticking tick, especially the nurses, doctors, and emergency workers. THANK YOU!

I am thinking of you who are working from home and those doing your best to keep your children sane and safe (feel you!). And you who are overwhelmed, scared, anxious and unsure of what’s next, I see you. I appreciate you.

Sometimes last cuts are chosen. Other times they happen to us, and we must adjust. Right now, there are a lot of the latter. As a global community, we are navigating an unprecedented situation that is changing rapidly. The only way I have learned to survive the most tumultuous times in my own life (cancer, surgeries, fire evacuations, mudslides) has been to do my best to shift my focus towards the basics and reflect on what matters most to me. In times of crisis, we are often forced to strip things down to the studs.

TO HELP IN WHATEVER WAY I CAN, I WANT TO GIFT YOU ALL THE .

In it, I ask the questions that remind us how to assess what we can control and where we want to place our focus (to the best of our ability) in these crazy and ever-shifting tides. Perhaps you can even do it with your kids. My daughter continues to blow me away with her wisdom during this time.

If you "purchase" the workbook, which is on sale at $0, you will receive the digital LAST CUT workbook via an immediately downloadable link and email. I hope it brings some peace and distraction while we ride this out together (well, socially distanced (!) and always connected).

Hang in there. Stay strong. Please stay home as much as possible to protect our most vulnerable while we attempt to flatten the curve, and to support our emergency workers.

Please share this and tag a friend who might need a little extra loving right now. I LOVE YOU. Truthfully, Sam”

Here's the workbook: https://www.lastcutproject.com/books/last-cut-workbook-digital

via Monique Mitchell ✁ “The story of Spring Equinox is the story of Persephone’s resurrection. As the myth goes, Persephone, an innocent girl-child, was kidnapped, taken to the underworld and forced to marry Hades. All of the gods were in a frenzy looking for the maiden, but when they found her in the underworld, they were shocked to find that the depths of darkness did not destroy her, but rather, birthed her.

How many of us have experienced a dark night of the soul? It feels like we’ve reached the end of the road, and in a sense, we have. We’ve reached the end of one road, and are offered the opportunity to step onto another.

I am so proud of Rihanna, a woman who emerged from the depths of an abusive relationship and bankruptcy after being robbed by her accountant, to rebirth herself as a mogul, and more importantly, a humanitarian.

Rihanna has given hope not only to the young girls on her island, but to women across the globe that what looks like the end, is really an opening. Spring Equinox is not only the rebirth of the sun, but the rebirth of ourselves.

Who is it you will become today?” —Monique

via Monique Mitchell ✁ In an effort to band together as human family during this global crisis, we are asking anyone impacted financially due to COVID-19 closures and cancellations to drop their venmo/paypal/cashapp in the comments. You don’t need to say what you need the cash for. If you have wealth/resource/time privilege, let’s work together to pay it forward to these individuals during this deeply challenging moment. Let’s offer support in the most immediate way we can, because, remember, what touches one of us, touches all of us, on micro and macro levels.

Please stay indoors and keep yourselves safe. Be mindful of ways you can help your loved ones and neighbors. And most importantly, breathe. We love you. 🖤

—Monique (in Italy) and the Last Cut Project team