A Wider Sense of Self

GIPL wishes to introduce our newest team member, Taylor Lampe, as she begins her year of service with our organization.“To promote the recovery of our world and the healing of our communities, while also leading lives that are rich and satisfying, we need to embody a larger story of who and what we are.” - A Wider Sense of Self, Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in without Going Crazy by Joanna Macy and Chris JohnstoneI encountered this quote during a Friday session last year with The Road Episcopal Service Corps. The Road is a year of service and intentional living for young adults, and Fridays are focused on spiritual discernment, community building, leadership training, and activism skill-building. This quote describes why The Road matters. Through community life and work with the underserved, fellows experientially learn the enormity of our interconnectedness and mutual dependence. From this deep awareness, we are compelled to compassion and action rather than isolation and despair.In my first few weeks with GIPL, it has become clear that there is similar significance in the work. Environmental issues can feel overwhelming and abstract, and at times, I have been tempted towards hopelessness. Why does this matter to me? How will we ever impact such massive environmental crises? But when the scope seems beyond me, I remember this quote and chapter, often muttering to myself “a wider sense of self, a wider sense of self, a wider sense of self”, almost hoping that the words will soak into my skin and remind me of our shared story. So far, this has not worked. Truly embodying a larger conception of oneself takes intentionality and time. But the work matters, because the more I learn, the more I realize that I cannot separate my liberation from the liberation of others and of our planet. I must recognize our connectivity to do compassionate work and to genuinely care.In this spirit, I embark on a second year of The Road and a fellowship with GIPL. I look forward to a year of working to make sure that the words soak in.You can read Taylor's bio here.