“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lorde

From fighting the pandemic to fighting injustice, many mission-driven individuals are feeling burned out these days. It’s not just a matter of too much work, but also a reflection of the energy required to navigate a time marked by isolation, discord and profound loss.

With nearly a million lives lost worldwide due to COVID-19, including over 200,000 Americans, there has been no collective mourning, no space during days of unyielding work and advocacy to come together – if even for a moment – to simply grieve, breathe, and rest.

On Wednesday September 30th at 1pm PT / 4pm ET, we invite mission-driven individuals, including those in healthcare, public health and health equity, to join us for a collective moment of mourning and restorative rest.

Co-hosted by Rishi Manchanda, President of HealthBegins and Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, this online forum will start with a prayer and moment of silence to mourn patients, colleagues, neighbors, and loved ones lost to the pandemic. This will be followed by a guided meditation on rest and spiritual sustenance, and a fireside chat about restorative practices, justice and self-preservation among leaders in public health, healthcare and health equity.

Please join us. You are welcome to invite trusted colleagues and friends.