Let the wins fill us completely

Willa Conway

08 Apr 2025 — 3 min read

Two weekends ago I met up with some of the most beautiful and powerful women in my life and we danced in the corner of the dance floor with full abandon. I was committed to going 100% for as long as I could because it is so unusual for me to make the space to go out past dark these days. Sweat soaked my shirt and dripped down my forehead. One friend took her shirt off. All of us nearing-middle-aged-women were radiating, drawing people towards us. No longer at a dance party to impress or flirt with anyone other than each other, we are in our joy, unencumbered for a few sweet hours. What a better way to usher in spring, this fertile season that comes every year whether we are ready or not.

That same day we had a statewide election to approve 4 constitutional amendments that were proposed by our Trump and Ten Commandments loving governor Jeff Landry. In a deeply red state with so many special elections that it feels like we vote every month (and therefore generally have incredibly low voter turnout), it seemed likely that these egregious amendments would be passed through. But they were voted down statewide.

Word got passed around the sweaty dance floor, one body to another, that we had won. People hooted, hollered, and screeched. We danced harder. We let the wins fill us completely. We let the feeling that there is justice attainable enter our bloodstream along with effervescent joy. We do not let oppression win. We take back power in all the ways available to us.

We see this power in the Hands Off protests all over the country this past weekend. We demand repair. We demand to be seen. We demand whatever ounce of justice is still available in this country. We allow the destruction to fuel us, to move us towards deeper reckoning and revolution.

Seasonal practice

In a world oriented towards commodification and destruction of the planet, one that has disconnected us from our bodies and the lands we live with and on, coming into closer relationship to the seasons can be part of how we practice something outside of racial capitalism. Orienting myself to the seasons is a way that I gather momentum and stay grounded throughout the year.

Spring is unfurling here in New Orleans, and I am basking in the beauty that the earth gives to us, year after year. How did I get so lucky to be alive as a human being on planet earth? Snapdragons, ranunculuses, Louisiana irises, yarrow, salvia, jasmine, and Peggy Martin roses delight me in my garden. This week, it will be time to visit the mulberry and loquat trees in the neighborhood and fill my mouth with fruit.

I invite you to take a walk in your neighborhood, yard, or woods. What is blooming? Are there any trees or flowers that are calling your attention? If you don’t know what it is, can you look it up or ask a friend what it is? See if you can fully receive the beauty and gift of Spring. Then ask, what in me is blooming? What beauty or gifts do I feel ready to share in the world?

Spring playlist

We are having so much fun in Movement Sustainability on zoom this season. I am in talks with a local studio about offering Movement Sustainability in New Orleans starting in the Fall. Will keep y’all informed as that comes together!!

In the meantime, I hope this playlist gives you a little boost.