The latest loud pause in our collective breath calls us to examine, once
again, who we are.  With the letter from someone who was chastised because
of statements on Lactnet, and Kathy D's post about the storage of all of our
e-mail, and the reminder of public access to our beloved Archives, we are
"invited" to ask ourselves how we will carry on this work of the little LCs
and LLLLs against the giants of the uninformed medical establishment and
their pharmaceutical partners. We ARE a threat to the status quo.

If I tell everyone on Lactnet that I recommend --mg of ca/mag, or 6 capsules
of fenugreek, or 3 droppers full of More Milk, or give Rescue Remedy to
moms, etc. then there is a risk of repercussion because of the rules that
were made before I even began my work.  It could come from another
Lactnetter or an anonymous lurker, or someone scanning the Archives wanting
to put a stop to our helping mothers breastfeed.

We have all benefitted from our openness and anecdotes and even our rants.
I wouldn't have learned half as much if everyone had been cautious--looking
over her shoulder.  Our spontaniety and honesty are an important part of
what we share. I don't know that we can share what we do without risk. I
hope fear of openness doesn't rob us of this most valuable forum.

On my fridge is the question, "What would you do right now if you were not
afraid?"

There are NO guarantees in any aspect of our lives and there aren't any
absolute Safe Places. "We must always choose between risk and risk." (Bro.
David S.) We are doing a Big Work and Big Work takes courage, creativity,
integrity, and lots of laughter. Sure, we have fear, but we don't want Fear
to "have" us.

Well, here we have it.  This wonderfully beneficial List has a flip side.
All that we so generously share here could haunt us for years to come--half
life of 10 years. This is a life-pattern decision we have to make.  Will I
live and make my decisions and speak (or not) based on fear, or will I spend
my energy living and speaking my Truth, trusting that I will handle the
consequences with equal passion.

All of us on Lactnet are different in our style, interests, expertise, and
life stories, and we will each resolve this life choice uniquely. And we
will support each other...as always.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee

mailto:[log in to unmask]