After reading Resilient Activism: Igniting Wild Hope in Uncertain Times by Laurie Benson, I was left feeling both cracked open and pieced back together in unexpected ways. This book, short in length but vast in heart, is a blend of personal storytelling, spiritual reflection, and practical guidance. Benson begins by exploring “Wild Hope,” a force she defines as our inner call to healing and action, then moves into the concept of “Resilient Activism,” which is about how to stay grounded and embodied while doing the hard work of changing the world. Through raw stories from her time at the US-Mexico border, meditative practices drawn from nature, and gentle urgings to reconnect with what matters, Benson offers readers a deeply personal roadmap to meaningful, sustainable engagement with life and the world around us.

What struck me first was how emotional this book made me feel. Benson doesn’t just talk about injustice or activism in the abstract, she invites you into her own breaking points. I could see the tear-filled eyes of the girl being taken by border patrol as clearly as if I were there. And I felt that same heartbreak build up inside me. But what made it bearable was how she holds that pain with such love, such purpose. Her writing doesn’t just tell you to “have hope.” It shows you why hope is necessary, even when everything feels unbearable. The language is poetic at times, but never inaccessible. She writes with her whole heart, and it makes you want to meet her there with yours.

At the same time, I found myself challenged by the book. Benson pushes back against our culture of burnout and “doing everything” by reminding us that our part in the world’s healing isn’t meant to destroy us. She says over and over again that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. That felt both like a relief and a wake-up call. I’ve long felt guilty for not doing more in moments of global crisis, and this book helped me reframe that. She talks about tending the garden, listening to the water, finding your own song. Those ideas might sound soft, but they carry so much weight. Her message is that healing the world starts with reconnecting to your own truth, your own rhythm. And that felt like something I needed to hear more than I realized.

In the end, I would absolutely recommend Resilient Activism to anyone who feels overwhelmed by the world and unsure how to help. It’s not a tactical how-to manual for organizing protests or writing policy (though it honors that kind of work too). It’s a guide for the heart, a map back to yourself and your place in the collective healing of this planet. It’s for teachers, artists, caregivers, nature lovers, and especially for people who feel too tender to keep going but too awake to look away. This book doesn’t just ask us to fight, it asks us to love, to remember, and to stay connected, even when it’s hard.

Pages: 104 | ASIN : B0FJ9SMTWP