BLOG: Why I’m running to save a forest
about 3 months ago I did something I never, ever, in my wildest dreams thought I would (or could) do...I started running. Yes, running.
Until that point I had always believed the (limiting) story that I didn't like running, it just wasn't for me. I could give you seventeen good reasons why it wasn't for my body, and counter reasonably that I was a swimmer, an acrobat, and of course a Yogini...but, never, NEVER a runner.
So, what brought on the big change?
I'd hit a point of despair; the overwhelm and confusion resulting from the horrific chaos on the other side of the world had abstracted my perspective, as well as my sense of hope. I could feel myself shutting down with powerlessness and unbearable grief.
I didn't know how to show up as a Teacher or a mother. It's all so abstract and far away. I had no idea how to authentically offer leadership alongside unending genocide & global unrest.
There are horrors and shadows in this world that can never be understood, rationalised or justified. Some clouds just don't have a silver lining.
Living means learning to hold the astonishingly beautiful and the unbearably hard things in the same palm. (Suleika Jaouad)
I needed to channel my heartbreak into remembering 'the astonishing beauty' again, I needed to remember the feeling that my actions and my passion might actually contribute towards positive change, towards something tangible and important.
As always, I found the astonishing beauty I craved in the trees.
It was Bob Brown who inspired the radical evolution in the form of running, offering the opportunity to contribute to saving the Takayna/Tarkine Rain Forest in Tasmania.
And so, in a moment of inspiration, I signed up for my son and I to run 22km through Takayna/Tarkine, and pledged that we would raise a bunch of money for the incredible Bob Brown Foundation along the way.
It wasn't the first time that Takayna/Tarkine's astonisihing beauty swept in and saved me either. A couple of years ago, during a minor break in the lockdowns, I was lucky enough to spend time deep in this magical forest as part of a big action against MMG - the mining company that is currently destroying this extraordinary and rare treasure. The medicine I received during my time there was nothing short of life changing, so, I didn't have to think for a second to trust that this trail run was the right decision, even though it made absolutely no sense as a person who had zero running experience.
And so, each day as I train for the big run, I'm remembering all that I am capable of, remembering that what I do - what each of us does - truly does matter.
I'm remembering that no matter how bad things might be, the ability to see the astonishing beauty and hold the active hope in the same hand as the chaos is a choice I can make in each moment.
As I challenge myself beyond anything I've ever dreamed of, I'm anchoring into the possibility that if I am able to complete this epic trail run then truly absolutely anything is possible...we might even be able to save the precious Tarkine/Takayna forest.
One small step, one individual human embodying their power, one at a time...who knows, if enough of us hold hands here we might even be able to live in peace and share this beautiful earth.
May we continue to live in hope, and dream of a different way, together in 2024.
Baba nam kevalam
love is all there is
Uma
ps - if you would like to support me and my 15 year old son Roy (go team!) to reach our fundraising goal, it would mean the world to me! Any amount helps! It all goes directly to the Bob Brown foundation's effective action to save the Takayna/Tarkine. Here's the link...
And, if you are a small business send me a msg - I would be so happy to make a fuss of you and show my gratitude on social media etc.