Wellness begins with “WE”

If that statement, “Wellness begins with WE” feels kitchie, I can understand. To be honest, I have been feeling a bit “overly sentimental” and “nostalgic” this week. But the word “kitchie” has a second meaning as well. The word, “kitchie” is a Scottish term referring to living in the farm kitchen, rather than a separate dwelling. To be kitchie is to embrace an aesthetic of simplicity, tradition and to live a rustic lifestyle.

To be kitchie is also to live a life of togetherness. We know it is true. The kitchen is where everyone ends up when we gather together. We belong there, and we know it.  Maybe it is the smell of garlic roasting, or the pie cooling, or our rumbling belly that draws us to the kitchen. Or, perhaps it is a deeper hunger for togetherness. I think living in a farm kitchen sounds absolutely lovely. Kitchie as it might be.

Wellness begins with WE.

Wellness is not the absence of disease. Wellness is the presence of connection, purpose and belonging. I cannot create wellness on my own. It is not something I can conjure up and slurp down like a tonic sold at the circus. My wellness cannot be purchased or rented and it is not sold in any store. Wellness is like a hearty soup made of fragrant stock, fresh herbs and vegetables that have sprouted up from the darkness of the earth. Wellness is something that is made through a process of discovery and it cannot be separated from the cultural context in which we live. 

bell hooks says this; 

“We must see psychological illness as a result of the madness of forming our self and identity in a white supremacist capitalist patriarchy.” 

Likewise, we cannot separate our wellness from which it begins. Which kitchie or not, is WE.

We cannot be well if we do not have a sense of purpose, a true feeling of belonging and if we do not feel connected to people and place. And this is the purpose of empire’s wrath. Empire wants to literally divide and concur. In fact Empire must divide in order to concur. Because it is very difficult to control people who are well, healthy and connected. 

Wellness begins with WE.

I have buried many people who died of loneliness. And I have sat with many others who are struggling daily to live alone. And I have been one of those people as well. The visceral feeling of being alone is perhaps the most terrifying feeling a human can have. And that makes sense. We are in fact animals. And while each of us is different, all animals need each other. 

Yesterday while wandering outside I saw two adult geese with six goslings. One adult was in front, the goslings between them with the other adult following behind. Before I knew it I had tears streaming down my face (told you I am feeling a bit “overly” sentimental). I thought to myself, “it’s not rocket science, we just need each other”. And not just when we are babies. We need each other always. 

Talking with a friend this morning we were lamenting that we were not able to protect our loved one that died this last week. That is a deep lament. We just wish we could have protected him, walking with him through this world, one in front, him in the middle, one in the back, forever, just walking through the world protecting his tender, beautiful, perfect human body. I really wish I could have protected him from the world. But, I could not. I did not. 

Wellness begins with WE.

My life continues. I am still here. WE are still here. 

And no, we couldn’t protect him. 

So, I guess we’ll just have to change the world, so people like him don’t need to be protected. 

That may feel kitchie to say. It may seem idealistic or overly sentimental. But, I think it is simplistic and traditional and quite a rustic way to live. 

And I will begin to change the world, right here, in this place, with these people that I touch everyday. 

I think I’ll go make some soup. Meet me in the kitchen?