The group that came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome our Restorative Justice Team, Board Member Laura Dafoe, Volunteer Irina Verardo, and Coordinator Tina Simpson, was small. Possibly as the result of this relatively small circle, all had ample time to contribute and the resulting conversation was deep, sometimes difficult, and meaningful for all.

We began with our Land Acknowledgement during which we were reminded that it was the practices of Indigenous Peoples all over the world that created the foundation for Restorative Justice, committed to bringing communities together through safe dialogue. We were then introduced to the Medicine Wheel Model of Wellbeing (https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/Being-Mindful-through-the-Medicine-Wheel.pdf), illustrating that mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual balance is required for wellbeing.

Before beginning our conversation, we then briefly reviewed and agreed to the five Group Agreements:

1. Honour the talking piece.
2. Speak with care/Listen with care.
3. Speak from the heart/ Listen from the heart.
4. Honour confidentiality.
5. Take care of yourself.  

The topic for this circle conversation was Communal Care, the exploration of personal practices that help us build and maintain our wellbeing despite barriers. And, how these practices could spread throughout the community, creating a groundswell of empowerment for our wellbeing despite seemingly overwhelming barriers. We were offered a quote by Peter Block to ground us in this exploration: “What matters is not fixing people from above but creating spaces where people can participate in their own flourishing.” 

As caring for our physical wellbeing is generally the one area in which we have a pretty good idea how to achieve, we were each asked to identify one thing that we do to nurture our emotional, mental, and spiritual well being. Answers varied and included:

• Meditation,
• Music,
• A focus on breathing to settle oneself,
• Walking,
• Praying,
• Practicing Thai Chi Qigong, and
• Going to church. 

Another Peter Block quote was offered: “Wellbeing is not something to be managed by institutions but created by citizens.” We were then asked what assets or gifts we have that we can shareto enrich our community’s well-being? Responses varied and included:

• A passion and growing understanding of the power of herbal medicine and that hope that this knowledge could soon be offered to others in our community also seeking wellbeing.
• Kindness – What about offering something as simple as eye contact and a smile each time you see one another? 
• Access that universal life force and share it.
• Find a way to actually see those in our community who are in need.
• Instead of immediately launching into a debate of differing opinions, begin by remembering that most of us we share something important: We are joined by a love and deep care for that island we call home.
• Show gratitude for our neighbours, knowing they are there to help, and you are always ready when they are in need. 
• Celebrate our amazing nonprofit volunteers who work so hard to make our community better. 

We were then asked to identify the barriers that we experience as we attempt to maintain and enhance our wellbeing. Answers, while each different, all echoed the theme that time and money were major sources of these barriers. 

Simply being too busy fulfilling commitments day after day to take the time to care for one’s wellbeing was experienced by most in this circle. A participant with young teens further explained her time restraints by saying that as the end of the day was approaching, there was actually time to share activities with her children. . . but, by the time all tasks and homework are done, everything is closed! Wouldn’t it be fun, she mused, if she and her kids could go to Ganges in the evening to share a treat at a coffee shop or go for a late evening swim at the pool together? 

The other common theme was money. Most lamented that all available activities were so expensive. Classes and gym/pool memberships for multiple children in a family are simply too expensive when competing with the high costs of providing those basic needs. Even for those with some discretionary income, a yoga class here, then Thai Chi, then some other new promising wellness activity, and, before long, the costs are too high for even those living comfortably. 

We all agreed that these time and money barriers negatively impacted our personal wellness decisions. While we acknowledged the amazing (and free) activities we can enjoy, like our spectacular trail system, we all agreed that, when balanced against the demands of our busy lives, wellbeing activities requiring time and money were too often skipped. 

As we closed this portion of our conversation, one participant mused about the possibilities of groups getting together, all sharing their individual skills with others, maybe yoga, meditation, massage, or. . . . In this communal sharing of wellbeing activities, the barrier of money could be erased – providing a powerful example of bottom up empowerment breaking down the barriers to wellbeing. 

While these barriers to wellbeing were significant, we were then asked to describe the daily rituals we practice to overcome these barriers and maintain/enhance our well-being. Rituals identified included:

• Before I go to sleep, I ask myself: “What was the best part of today?” 
• To signal the conclusion of things I have to do that day, I feed my pup while enjoying my glass of wine. 
• I go off island to do something I love, get exercise, help others, and fill my freezer by fishing pink salmon in abundant hatchery rivers.
• Rum and cola!
• I begin my day with a half hour of mindfulness before I even look at my phone or figure out what I need to do that day. I try to also end my day with another half hour of mindfulness. 
• I tidy my home morning and evening. This ritual helps me relax and maintain my wellbeing.
• I try to stop throughout the day to express gratitude. 

As our time together for this week was nearly over, we were asked to conclude by offering a few words describing something positive we were taking from this circle today. Answers included:

• The opportunity to share the experience of trauma helps maintain wellbeing.
• It is good to know that we are not alone and that others face the same barriers seeking wellbeing.
• Feeling vulnerable is not as scary when it is shared in a safe space. 
• Gratitude for such a meaningful conversation.

As we prepared to leave, already beginning to focus on the rest of our day’s activities, we expressed our gratitude to Laura, Irina, and Tina for their courage, vision, wisdom, and hard work creating this safe space for us every month, building connection after connection throughout our community. (Thank-you Irina, Tina, and Laura!) 

Just in case you are interested. . . .This report has been written by Gayle Baker, founder of ASK Salt Spring, currently also a Salt Spring Local Community Commissioner. It has been reviewed by Tina.