Christine Gabrièlle

A Question:

How would we organize and move our communities if we shifted to focus on what we long for and love rather than what we are negatively reacting to? (p.23)

This is such an important question, both for the wider community (whichever communities you are part of) and for us individually.

When I was working with a coach last year, we talked about how I tend to make decisions based on trying to avoid pain and negative experiences rather than trying to pursue positive experiences and (using words from the book) pursuing pleasure.

I find that even in my job search, I have approached it from a place of negatively reacting to feeling like I don’t have enough money, I’m not independent enough, I’m a burden on my family, I should be doing more… all the negative feelings associated with not working a traditional job or having a consistent income.

I could, instead, be moving from a place of positivity and pleasure—What would I like? What would I enjoy? Where could I do good work? Who’s the person I want to become? How could this improve my life and the lives of the people around me?

So many communities operate from a space of scarcity—of resources, time, nourishment, relationship, safety, etc.—and there’s often a lot of reaction to situations. What if we could shift to a position of organizing ourselves and our actions based on what we want to see bloom in our communities rather than what we’re trying to avoid seeing happen to our communities. The nuance can be subtle, but the effect could be substantial.

Re: Hot and Heavy Homework: Write up your pleasure activism lineage

Who awakened your senses?

I think I’m still in the process of awakening my senses because, when it comes to pleasure (whether seeking pleasure or experiencing pleasure), it’s definitely been one of those repressed things that comes with growing up religious. 

One of the worksheets we had when I was working with the coach last year was a “Pleasure Log”. I had to pay attention to and note what gave me pleasure each week—what felt good, tasted good, what experience(s) brought me joy. It was the first time I’d been instructed or given permission to seek out pleasurable experiences.

The very idea of seeking pleasure for myself was in stark contrast to my religious upbringing, which was(is) very heavy on self-denial. Though seeking out pleasure hasn’t become an ingrained habit in my life yet, believing I could seek pleasure for myself was definitely inspired by that coach and further encouraged by this book.

A new goal of mine is to find ways to experience more pleasure in my life—from what I eat to what I watch and even to who I’m spending time with regularly.

I hope that as we go through my favorite pieces in Pleasure Activism, that you are able to grab some nuggets to take for yourself even if you don’t read the book (we’ll also be going through some not favorite pieces—anything that made me react, really).

🖤