This is Clouds Form Over Land, weekly writing about life at sea and going ashore.
Hello, Spring!
When we landed on the Pacific side of Panama last April, the mangos were bursting from the branches. We laughed with a taxi driver about the audacity of a $5 mango in the US as the fruits dropped onto the sidewalk from their giant branches. Squirrels seemed to be getting drunk on the abundance of overripe fruit, and people stopped along their routes to pluck a treat from a tree. We learned the shape of the leaves and can recognize them from a distance. Here in Colombia, we’ve watched the seasons progress from pollination to tiny mangos, and today they are big enough to be plucked and eaten underripe - or biche style with salt, pepper, and tajin. Witnessing these changes within the limited band of temperatures available in the tropics has been a delight.
The Spring Equinox was on March 20th and yesterday the moon was new. It is a time of fresh starts, planting seeds, supporting pollinators, and getting our hands in the dirt.
Today I’m somewhere crossing the Western Caribbean and popping in to share seasonal intentions and a guest teaching from my friend
.The change in the seasons offers opportunities for sailors to make large passages. Major weather patterns are mellowed while transforming into their new trajectories. As the sun grows day by day toward the summer solstice, we will be making progress northwards and toward the culmination of our journey from San Francisco. For me, this season holds anticipation and arrival. I’m not making too many plans, but rather focusing on systems that will keep me grounded as we transition from sea to land. Like the wind, I’m mellowing as I change directions. The remarkable wildness of our surroundings and the intense accountability to the boat has elevated my ability to move with change and brought certain care tasks to the fore. We are shifting toward a faster pace of slow travel, and my new rhythms will be pressure tested. For this reason, I’m sticking to only the essential to-dos. Years ago, Scott and I invented (?) a Cold Stone Creamery-inspired prioritization method. Here’s what it looks like for spring:
Like It: piano practice, self-drafting clothes for warm weather like this set or this wrap dress, hosting a dinner party from the Colombiana cookbook.
Love It: knitting, practicing Spanish, landing my next climate job.
Gotta Have It: exercising daily, writing, keeping Azimuth in ship shape, being brave and kind.
Next up is something new: a guest essay and how-to from
.Turning self-knowledge into effective activism
I often joke that one of the benefits of there being so many things wrong in the world is that there are so many different ways to make a positive change. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, hyperactive or depressed, conflict-averse or combative, math-y, artsy, wordy, techie, nature-y, or any other way a person can be — you can make a difference on an issue you care about in a way that suits your personality and situation. You do not have to be anyone besides yourself to make the world a better place.
But figuring out how you —yes, you— can meaningfully change the world can feel like a daunting task. Here’s a short exercise that I recommend to help you chart your path forward:
Step 1: What’s a problem in the world that gets you the most pissed off, saddest, and energized?
This can be something global or hyper-local.
Step 2: What is one of the many solutions to this problem that could benefit the most types of people?
There are many different solutions to every problem. The bigger the problem, the more solutions. But some solutions only address some of the problems or only help some groups of people with the problem. That doesn’t mean they are bad solutions, but it is important to be aware of the limitations of the different solutions.
Step 3: Why do you think this problem exists in the first place? Why does it persist? Who benefits from the problem existing?
Problems don’t just exist— they are created because their existence benefits someone. The bigger the problem, the more people and groups that benefit from its existence. Looking at this with clear eyes can be icky, but it’s important to do it.
There are many people who will offer up answers to that question for you, it’s important you come to your own understanding and own answers.
Watch out! People in power tend to point fingers as a way of deflecting blame and distracting from the root cause of the problem. Scapegoating is extremely effective and it’s easy to be tricked. Consider, “how does this person benefit from me being scared of or angry with my neighbor who may be different from me?” To say it another way, someone wants you to hate Jews, Trans people, foreigners, women, or certain ethnic groups and someone will say that the real solution to whatever problem you're interested in is to oppress “those people”. Don’t fall for it. Someone benefits by hurting specific groups and turning communities against each other.
Step 4: Who is already working on the solution? And how are they going about pushing to win that solution?
9 times out of 10 there is already someone or some group that’s working on the issue you care about and pushing for the solution you want to see. Find them!
Step 5: Ask yourself: What are my gifts? What am I good at and what do I like to do?
There is something you’re good at– you don’t have to be great at it. What is something you don’t mind doing or might even enjoy doing?
Step 6: This is where you bring it all together! What is a simple, one-off gift that you could make for the group working on that solution that would make their lives or their work a bit easier?
A key element is making something that is useful as a one-off gift. Offer them something free that might be helpful and has no cost to them. So, when you are thinking of a “free” thing to make and give them, think “free” as in “hey, here’s a plate of free cookies!” and NOT “here is a free puppy, enjoy taking care of it for the rest of its life!” or “here is a free toy, but the batteries are not included and are expensive”.
Maybe the gift is a micro-research project that helps identify potential resources for them to pursue; maybe it’s some art you make that helps promote their cause and their specific “call to action”; maybe it’s a fundraising party you organize and get a bunch of your friends to make a one-time donation to the group; maybe it’s just a care package or a nice card you send to cheer them on. Whatever you can give, give freely and without strings attached.
Reflect on how that went, and how it felt, and think about what you might do next.
Maybe you do something a bit bigger? Maybe you do the same thing for a different group? Maybe it’s the same thing again? Or maybe it’s just a nap after giving yourself a pat on the back.
There are a million things you can do to help make the world a better place. The most important part is that you do it, and ideally that it connects in with larger efforts & movements to make that change— and hopefully you find something you are up for doing again and again.
Planting a seed is helpful, planting a seed in a good spot is even better, and planting a seed and tending to it is best. But if you want flowers & fruit, first you must plant seeds.
One small next step is to follow
, where we learn how to win a bike lane, the tactics behind flyering, and more. Subscribe to get the latest on his free monthly webinars and paid coaching opportunities for activists.Want to sponsor coaching for an activist in your area? Reach out to Carter through his website.