Sep 21, 2021
Join Franciscan Associate Doug Beumer who courageously explores the kaleidoscope of his life experience and work, a mirror for what he sees in society today.
From Doug’s interview: “We know with trauma, people get stuck. When our amygdala is tired, it's like the panic button. Our other thinking shuts down. For those of privilege, and by privilege, I mean, isolated or insulated from the trauma and hurt of others, we may not recognize that or choose to look away; it's a concerning time for our country. … There's a poster I saw at the group home I worked in for those that are struggling with substance abuse and mental illness, that a hundred million people in our own country aren't getting the services and support they need. It's the reality. …
Self-care, I think in a certain way is an act of resistance in a world that's full of chaos and trauma and confusion. … Having context for what I do is really helpful for me in terms of keeping things in balance and finding a middle pathway, if you will, forward. …
Being present to the present as adults, we can make the decision to engage at many different levels with all the different issues that you see in our society. And I think when we are aligned with others and in relationship with others that are experiencing suffering that makes a huge difference. For some, it's an inconvenience, for others it's really devastating what's going on. And, we're all learning and growing in our awareness and response to all the challenges going on these days
Have the courage to reach out if you're suffering or in pain or needing support. Be gentle with yourself because that is a pathway forward that has benefit in the end. It's not easy work to look at ourselves and to nurture ourselves, but as adults, I think that is our task. When we do, we model that for our loved ones and allow them to be themselves and grow and learn. It's kind of a self-sustaining kind of dynamic when we have relationships like that, where we love others and others love us and we could share that. And so it's an expanding intimacy that can be very life-giving.
When we recognize that the only person we can change is ourselves, that puts us in a different stance or position with the world. Acknowledging there is a higher power and again, being gentle with myself and finding balance, finding health and recognizing all the gifts, I think, is a powerful relationship with God or higher power or the presence in our life that is present, that we don't always understand or appreciate.”
For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: fslfpodcast@fslf.org.
References:
Trauma: What is trauma? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trauma.
Recovery Community: This is a general term re: networks to support recovery from substance abuse. Among many sources, here is a resource in Minnesota: https://minnesotarecovery.org/.
Clare’s Well: Here is an article about the 25th Anniversary of Clare’s Well: https://www.annandaleadvocate.com/news/14262/wellness-at-25-clares-well-celebrates-anniversary. After a fruitful 27 years, this ministry ended in 2015; the farm was sold and re-opened as Wellsprings Farm; in 2021, the farm became Rootsprings Coop.
Neuroplasticity: What is brain plasticity? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886. See also: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroplasticity.
Dysregulation: What is it? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-dysregulation-5073868.
Amygdala: What does it do? https://www.simplypsychology.org/amygdala.html.
Father John Kaiser: Learn about Fr. Kaiser, and a microloan fund that has been set up in honor of his work with people on the margins, which cost him his life in Kenya: https://www.catholicfoundation.info/copy-of-mother-mary-s-fund-for-life. For more detail about his life work for justice and his death, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Anthony_Kaiser.
BIPOC: What does it mean? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-bipoc-5025158.
Columbia Protocol: Learn more about the Columbia Suicide Scale https://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/about-the-scale/.
Camino de Santiago: History of the Camino: https://www.caminoadventures.com/blog/history-of-the-camino/. Twin Cities chapter of American Pilgrims: https://americanpilgrims.org/iwpmap_directory/minneapolis/. As I mentioned in the podcast, Bottes et Velo (Boots and Cycling) is a resource available in English and in French: http://bottesetvelo.com/; Brigitte and Eric are friends who do accompaniment and support of pilgrims based out of French Canada.
Johari window: This practical tool can be applied in relationships and in professional settings. Here’s an informative article: https://www.communicationtheory.org/the-johari-window-model/, and a video reflection process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsXicQ4019E&t=3s.
Journey of the Universe, Brian Swimme: an introductory video to the 2011 documentary: https://www.imdb.com/videoplayer/vi3647970585. You can also search online for a number of videos of Brian Swimme’s work honoring the beauty and complexity of the universe.
Dissociate: What is dissociation? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-dissociation-22201.
North Minneapolis Resources:
Visitation Sisters: Read about these Sisters, their ministries and collaborators: https://www.visitationmonasteryminneapolis.org/.
Sojourner Truth Academy: https://sojournertruthacademy.org/.
