Welcome to this conversation

Something New Is Being Born - Episode 3: Birthing You could swear you are going to die! This is impossible. The cozy, if awkward, relationship you had with this new thing has turned into a crisis. It wants out. It has to come out, and it is asking more of you than you think you have in you. But you aren’t the first to experience this. Every being, every new company, new social movement, book, symphony and painting got birthed. You can do this! You aren’t alone, you know.

Episode 3: Birthing

This week Greg Meyer is speaking with Doula, Erin Tripolino and Funeral Director, Anne Christ who both know something about getting things born.

“Part of my role, as a doula at a birth, is let everyone in the room know that no one is in control.” And again, “There aren’t many people I have seen in a birth that haven’t had to reach this point of surrender and just letting go.” Erin Tripolino

Some things to Consider:

1. We would all like to give birth to new ideas, possibilities, businesses, whatever and do it out of our overflow but more often than not it is our overthrow, not our overflow. It takes something out of us and changes us. What have you given birth to? How has this been true or not true for you?

2. Prolactin is a hormone, Erin explains, that prepares a mother physically to care for her baby by triggering the production of milk, and emotionally by triggering the selflessness that will be needed to put the baby’s needs ahead of her own interests.

3. If we are to birth new movements in our communities and in our nation, what can this social ‘prolactin’ be, and what effect does it need to have on us? Does it exist? Is it happening already?

From the podcast:

What is your vision for the future? 

If it looks like a replay of your past, or a continuous loop of your present, you may be setting yourself up for a very rocky experience with the inevitable. If your vision of tomorrow is just plain scary, then take another look at all the debris lying at your feet. 2020 has been brutal for most of the world. 2021 isn’t probably going to be quite the answer we’re looking for either. You probably look around you and see the rubble of what was. Can it also be the building blocks of what will be?

Name three of the biggest challenges that impact you. They may have personal or societal roots. What is your vision for them? What do you plan on doing with the situation? Where do you hope to go with it?

Jesus’ birth in the Christmas story was less about the moment and more about the vision for the future that Jesus was part of. Read Luke 2. Here are the first seven verses read in the podcast. 

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.            Luke 2.1-7 (NRSV)

Both Erin and Anne stressed the role of community in successful birthing. We may tend to think about it as an individual task. Who is your community? People you are in significant relationships with one another that you share with one another, care for one another, trust one another, and grow together? Who are you community for? 

Make a list of actual names. Maybe draw a picture illustrating how you are all connected.

Talk more about this with a group

Click HERE for a discussion guide.