Possibility Day Reflections: Health and Wellbeing

To keep you connected to current issues and topics discussed in the Flagship Program, LT shares reflections and resources from our Possibility Days. Last year, we changed the name from Challenge Days to Possibility Days to reflect our focus on how leaders can work collectively toward solutions and possibilities. We hope these reflections from two LT'24 class members help bring the program and conversations to life for you.

Our Health and Wellbeing Possibility Day was designed to support these Flagship Program goals:

Community and Belonging: Build a diverse multi-sector learning community in which participants can find belonging, inspiration, and support for action during and after the program year.
Regional Challenges and Opportunities: Introduce a range of regional challenges and opportunities through the lenses of equity and antiracism; envision and explore examples of policies, institutions, and systems that promote equity.
Leadership: Build a toolkit of leadership skills for individual and collective action so that organizations, communities, and the region may thrive.

During our time together, members of the LT'24 cohort explored the social determinants of health, discussed topics including challenges in women's health, behavioral health systems and models of care, and the connection between trauma and food choice. They also learned about and practiced ways to effectively engage with conflict. To get a feel for the day and resources, read the agenda.

Steve's Reflections

Steve Alexander, LT'24, KUOW, Puget Sound Public Radio

Our Health and Wellbeing Possibility Day was rich with insights. For me though, the prevailing reflection of our day, one that has reappeared each time we’ve met, is the idea of belonging as a key ingredient in our collective and individual wellbeing. In every interaction I had throughout our day, we shared joy for being together and feeling connected. Our joy revealed itself in simple brief ways, and more profound ways as well. All of them healing. Gestures from across the room. Deep conversation with heartfelt eye contact. Hugs. Great hugs. The belonging we’re creating is already restorative for me.

That belonging itself is healing is a powerful lesson I’ve learned before, but I've lost sight of it over the last few years as my family and I retreated from chaos and harm online and outside. I am grateful for the reminders LT provides.

A specific reflection I had, which was a surprise to me as it happened: In our first roundtable of the day, I found myself coming out as 10 months sober. I shared with our group the surprising belonging I have found this last year in Alcoholics Anonymous. The table discussed how we might look to one another for healing, considering the unreliability of our increasingly costly and decreasingly accessible healthcare system. Perhaps there’s a modern-day application for us in the century-old model of AA? Healing of the people, by the people, and for the people? Just a thought I had.

Then there was the heavyweight topic of the day—conflict literacy. So much of what Briana Herman-Brand offered resonated and felt empowering. My husband and I have since referred to her “social discipline window” graph a few times.

I can see and appreciate how Dr. Ginwright’s emphasis in The Four Pivots on personal healing is playing out in our program. As exhausting as these heavy topics can be, I left our Possibility Day feeling full up and grateful.

Delmas' Reflections

Delmas Whittaker, LT'24, Port of Seattle

Over the past couple of sessions, I have been impressed with those within my cohort working to improve our communities. However, the myriad barriers limiting efforts to achieve an ideal state are overwhelming. For example, take the homeless and unhoused crisis. The challenges around affordable housing, support services, and practical ideas to change the tide of this situation are daunting. The Emerald City continues to celebrate record tourism. In May, Seattle was named the #2 top travel destination during the summer of 2023, according to a report from Allianz Partners. However, our downtown corridor reminds us of those left behind. We have lots of work to do.

During the Health and Wellbeing Possibility Day, I heard about several tough challenges surrounding our healthcare system. Those include but are not limited to access, perception, and acceptance. During this conversation, a few key themes emerged: lack of communication, money, unfair distribution, and collaboration. Some of these barriers explain why so many people claim to struggle in our country. Lastly, the system lacks humanity and love for those of lesser means.

I am very interested in learning more about the homelessness crisis and seeking ways to help local and regional agencies find affordable housing for those in need. I have been talking with community leaders, public servants, and nonprofit agencies to understand better this crisis and the roadblocks they are working to overcome. I plan to play a more active role in the next 12 months.

This cohort is beginning to come together. The conversations have been amazing! Every session, each of LT's values becomes a little brighter for each member of this cohort. This week’s speakers gave us powerful perspectives and passion fueling our desires to be better members of our local community and human beings. I’m very proud to be part of this program.