Soul Matters: Practicing Resistance

January 2026

Soul Matters: Practicing Resistance

“It’s ok to take a little step, so long as…

It's something you know something about. 

do with other people, 

do regularly, [and]

It makes you a little bit uncomfortable.

If it meets those criteria, then you're helping democracy.”

Quote from Timothy Snyder, American historian and author of “On Tyranny”

As we start a new year and a new month, we are asked to consider the Soul Matters theme: Practicing Resistance. What does it mean to practice resistance when you are exhausted from all that is going on in our country, let alone the world? I like Timothy Snyder’s advice above that we work on something we know; we do it with others; we do it regularly; and it makes us a little bit uncomfortable. Resistance can come in many different forms. It could be writing letters to encourage people to vote. It could be marching for the rights of immigrants or trans youth health care. It could be deciding to not shop at certain stores. It could be organizing a joyful gathering to energize people. It could be honoring when you need to rest. 

Resistance allows us to push back against systemic oppression in creative and abundant ways. We encourage you this month to find the ways that resonate with you to practice resistance. Remember, we do this work together and never alone.

Question: How do you practice resistance?

Poem of the Month

“The Low Road” by Marge Piercy

Alone, you can fight,

you can refuse, you can

take what revenge you can

but they roll over you.

But two people fighting

back to back can cut through

a mob, a snake-dancing file

can break a cordon, an army

can meet an army.

Two people can keep each other

sane, can give support, conviction,

love, massage, hope, sex.

Three people are a delegation,

a committee, a wedge. With four

you can play bridge and start

an organization. With six

you can rent a whole house,

eat pie for dinner with no

seconds, and hold a fund raising party.

A dozen makes a demonstration.

A hundred fill a hall.

A thousand have solidarity and your own newsletter;

ten thousand, power and your own paper;

a hundred thousand, your own media;

ten million, your own country.

It goes on one at a time,

It starts when you care

to act, it starts when you do

it again after they said no,

it starts when you say We

and know who you mean, and each

day you mean one more.