> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # hold steady. ❤️‍🩹 - URL: https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/hold-steady/ - Published: 2026-01-09T01:04:38.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-09T02:02:14.000Z - Description: we know what to do, even now. - Author: Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg - Tags: justice work This is **Life as a Sacred Text** 🌱, an everybody-celebrating, justice-centered voyage into ancient stories that can illuminate our own lives. It‘s run on a nonprofit, so it’s 100% NAZI FREE. More about the project [here](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/about/), and **to subscribe, go** [**here**](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/higher-up-the-mountain/#/portal/signup)**:** [Subscribe!](#/portal/account/plans) **This newsletter is a reader-supported publication. Paid subscriptions allow our tiny team to keep doing this work. If you want in to the House of Study but paying isn't on for you right now, reach out and we'll hook you up, no questions asked.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2025/06/darker-green-bush-closer-1.png) ## Sign up for Life is a Sacred Text Life is a Sacred Text is about truth & transformation, with ancient stories serving as mirrors & lights. Collective liberation. Everybody-celebratory. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Like so many other people (also you?) I've been cycling through many different feelings around Renee Nicole Good's murder by ICE. Rage. Fear. Despair. Horror. And thinking of the tens of thousands of Brown and Black people already snatched, stolen, sent to [concentration](https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/trump-deadlier-for-ice-detainees-than-covid-19-pandemic/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [camps](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alligator-alcatraz-model-kristi-noem-homeland-security/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [both](https://www.npr.org/2025/06/05/nx-s1-5413364/concerns-over-conditions-in-u-s-immigration-detention-were-hearing-the-word-starving?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [domestic](https://governor.nebraska.gov/nebraska-publishes-contract-ice-use-work-ethic-camp-ice-detention-facility?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) and [abroad](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cecot-megaprison-el-salvador-bukele-trump-deportations-9.7027759?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com). This culture of dehumanization is all one thing. AND I keep coming back to the same core principles that I have through everything. Through all of these horrors, these losses, these fears, these terrifying pivot moments where it feels like everything might be changing. They're the same lessons I learned from my [activist](https://religionnews.com/2021/12/01/why-mississippis-anti-abortion-law-is-also-an-assault-on-lgbtq-rights/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [mentors](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/yenawine/) – the ones who forced the world to listen while their generation was dying of a disease nobody wanted to acknowledge– the same lessons that I've learned over the last 35 years of work trying to make change, through wins and setbacks and so many devastating losses. And though this isn't one of my regularly scheduled missives, I just wanted to offer this infusion, to remind you that you're not alone, and of what you already know: - Channel your anger into action. (Stay loud now. Put the pressure on ICE, keep the pressure on ICE. It matters.) - Find your longer-term role(s) in the work. - Show up regularly, not just when something happens. (This is really, really important.) Also: YOU WILL FEEL BETTER IF YOU ARE TAKING ACTION REGULARLY. - Give yourself space to feel things. Stay human. Do *not* lose your empathy. - Have a practice to nourish yourself. - It'll get harder before it's better. (I'm sorry. I'm here always to tell you the truth.) - Another world is possible. We *can* make it so, together. - Solidarity is always and forever the only way home. You know this. (Living it is harder.) > *“*Movements are born of critical connections > rather than critical mass.” -Grace Lee Boggs ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2026/01/image-2.png) Print that says "Be a Bridge" in red with blue bridge and path marks, by [Elizabeth Jabar](https://www.elizabethjabar.com/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com). And as a reminder, and/or if you're newer to this community, a lot of this is in past posts: Concrete tips on making space to Feel The Things: [the day afternotes on feeling our way into this next chapter![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--245.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/190DB0EF-2221-43C4-B430142272BB36B7_source-5.webp)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/the-day-after/) This fight needs to have so many heads that they'll never be able to successfully cut them all off. It needs to be waged on so many fronts. Some ideas in here: [THE GOOD TROUBLE CHECKLISTkeep all your shenanigans in one place![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--246.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/thismachinebig-scaled-1-7.jpg)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/goodtrouble/) More of the meta-strategic thing here: [On Organizingtime to level up / an early draft of a playbook![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--244.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/AnnaReishus_FlagRemix_AnIntersectionalAmerica_hi-res-credits-2048x1229-10.jpg)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/organize/) What is *your* place on deck? Your role in this larger battle? If you're not sure, these questions might help you discern: [find your place on deckanother world is possible-- but we must start living into it today![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--247.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-07-17-at-2.42.52-PM-8.png)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/deck/) And we need to be nourishing ourselves regularly so that there's enough bandwidth for action AND so that our spirits are strong enough to say no to the forces that want us to concede, that want us to just follow orders, that want us to play nice instead of doing what's right: [fortify insidewhy spiritual practice matters during the rising authoritarian tide![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--248.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-02-at-1.43.31-PM-6.png)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/fortify/) > > “The world will not be destroyed by evil people but by good people who do nothing to stop it. Hopefully there will always be good people courageous enough to take on the bad guys, this is the only way humanity can hope for salvation.” ― Bangambiki Habyarimana Sending much love. More Monday. xo RDR ### Share this post [ ![Bluesky](https://sws-newsletter-share-buttons.netlify.app/icons/bluesky_white.png) Share on Bluesky ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=hold%20steady.%20%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8F%E2%80%8D%F0%9F%A9%B9%20-%20we%20know%20what%20to%20do%2C%20even%20now.%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fp%2Fbc32ac20-d28c-4e24-8ead-8bb90b907b9b%2F%3Fmember%5Fstatus%3Dfree&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [ ![Threads](https://sws-newsletter-share-buttons.netlify.app/icons/threads_white.png) Share on Threads ](https://www.threads.com/intent/post?text=hold%20steady.%20%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8F%E2%80%8D%F0%9F%A9%B9%3A%20we%20know%20what%20to%20do%2C%20even%20now.%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fp%2Fbc32ac20-d28c-4e24-8ead-8bb90b907b9b%2F%3Fmember%5Fstatus%3Dfree&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [ ![Facebook](https://sws-newsletter-share-buttons.netlify.app/icons/facebook_white.png) Share on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fp%2Fbc32ac20-d28c-4e24-8ead-8bb90b907b9b%2F%3Fmember%5Fstatus%3Dfree) [ ![Mastodon](https://sws-newsletter-share-buttons.netlify.app/icons/mastodon_white.png) Share on Mastodon ](https://tootpick.org/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com#text=hold%20steady.%20%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8F%E2%80%8D%F0%9F%A9%B9%20-%20we%20know%20what%20to%20do%2C%20even%20now.%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fp%2Fbc32ac20-d28c-4e24-8ead-8bb90b907b9b%2F%3Fmember%5Fstatus%3Dfree) [ ![Reddit](https://sws-newsletter-share-buttons.netlify.app/icons/reddit_white.png) Share on Reddit ](https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fp%2Fbc32ac20-d28c-4e24-8ead-8bb90b907b9b%2F%3Fmember%5Fstatus%3Dfree&title=hold%20steady.%20%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8F%E2%80%8D%F0%9F%A9%B9&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [ ![LinkedIn](https://sws-newsletter-share-buttons.netlify.app/icons/linkedin_white.png) Share on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fp%2Fbc32ac20-d28c-4e24-8ead-8bb90b907b9b%2F%3Fmember%5Fstatus%3Dfree&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [ ![Email](https://sws-newsletter-share-buttons.netlify.app/icons/email_white.png) Share on Email ](mailto:?subject=hold%20steady.%20%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8F%E2%80%8D%F0%9F%A9%B9&body=we%20know%20what%20to%20do%2C%20even%20now.%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fp%2Fbc32ac20-d28c-4e24-8ead-8bb90b907b9b%2F%3Fmember%5Fstatus%3Dfree) [Good Thingsa combo platter of things to read, hear, see and watch![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--251.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1597714026720-8f74c62310ba-2)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/this-instead-3/) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2025/10/wired-lineal-1468-morale-hover-pinch--3-.gif)](#/portal/account/plans) ****A reminder about the subscription model:** I want my work to be as accessible to as many people as possible, in as many ways as possible. 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