Over the past two months, I have been studying, reflecting, and working through Trauma-Informed Yoga and Care. I see how systematically we continually cause trauma repeatedly without awareness. My perception was that it was a safe, inclusive, and loving place in Canada. The events have told me otherwise over many years, and that is a hard thing to start to recognize. What about the events in the past weeks in Canada.

Words are powerful, and they hurt and can cause so much more pain than physical abuse. They live in your mind and can be replayed. CONSENT. By not saying anything, we are consenting to the actions of others. We are complacent about what is happening.

"All too often, when we see injustices, both great and small, we think, That's terrible, but we do nothing. We say nothing. We let other people fight their own battles. We remain silent because silence is easier. Qui tacet consentire videtur is Latin for 'Silence gives consent.' When we say nothing, when we do nothing, we are consenting to these trespasses against us."

Roxane Gay

This post is about WORDS and the power of the words you use. When you speak to others, do you use socially acceptable terms that are offensive to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) LGBTQ2S+ ( Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Two-Spirit and additional sexual orientations and gender identities), neurodiverse and disabled communities and other marginalized individuals or groups?

When we have an honest dialogue with ourselves, we may realize that we have caused harm to others without even knowing it. This is where things change; once you know you have a choice, will you take the opportunity to change?

Here are a few suggestions that can help get you started if you want to learn more about being Trauma-informed (sensitive):

• Read about microaggressions and how we use them regularly in our daily lives. "a comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group (such as a racial minority)" Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Personal example: I have been told my children don't "look" like they have Autism, but Autism is a communication disorder and doesn't have physical attributes.

• Be careful with the Labels: Labels often have shame, blame, and negative connotation. They are People with that label and are not less worthy of anything; we are all are still whole human beings having an experience on this earth.
• These tools are created for the indigenous communities and provide Trauma-informed care. They were well written, and I believe everyone should read these. Manitoba Trauma Information and Education Centre: Trauma-Informed Toolkit Trauma-informed_Toolkit.pdf and Training https://trauma-recovery.ca/. These two references are free and wonderful tools that you can do from your own home.
• Persons with disabilities usually like first-person language when referring to their ability. If you can address people by name, do so. If talking about ability, “Autism” “is Autistic” is better accepted than “has Autism.” But when in doubt, you may ask as many have their preference and asking gives anonymity. Here is another perspective to read What's The Politically Correct Term for Disabled Person? (With Gifs) (meriahnichols.com)
• Please don’t compare Trauma. Everyone has had Trauma in their life. Trauma is trauma. It is an experience, and how you experience it matters. Listen, validate and hold space. You can’t fix what happened. No one expects that. Just don’t diminish what happened. That on its own can make matters worse.
• Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi had something in common, Non-Violence. I invite you to read this: Training for Non-violence | Mind of Mahatma Gandhi (mkgandhi.org)

The past many years have been hard, and we all need safe places to be ourselves. I am excited to see a shift happening. I hope it keeps going to see more safe spaces, inclusion, acceptance, and equity. This is the movement I want to happen. We work together with a movement where collectively we can allow our experiences and heal safely. I know we have a long way to go, but I truly believe Non-Violence is the way to go.