By Arliss Kurtz MSW, RSW, RYT
“United we stand. Divided we fall.” Winston Churchill
Defined by Oxford Languages, Unity is the state of being united or joined as a whole. Equanimity is the ability to maintain mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. These are foundations of social work and yoga practice, and values that led me to travel from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Orlando, Florida to speak at the ATSA 2025 Conference, “Year of the Changemaker.”
I reflected on unity and equanimity often over the last year leading up to the conference. From deciding to submit a proposal, to feeling conflicted on whether I would travel to Florida after it was accepted, to listening to the opinions of others who were making their own personal decisions of whether to attend. For many, storms of unrest swirled around politics, ethical dilemmas, global unrest, and safety concerns that swelled anger, fear, disgust.
I also felt this way. I was angry that political chaos could interfere with my ability to gather and learn with my ATSA colleagues and friends. I feared the possibilities of interrogation when crossing the border and Florida hurricanes. Disgusting news cast images of violence and humanitarian crises deepened feelings of fear and anger.
My anger turned to determination to not allow events outside my control to interfere with my professional development or separate me from my international network. Unity. I still felt fear crossing the Canadian–US border, my jelly-like limbs and pounding heart attested to that. To not spiral in anxiety, I practiced what I preach, in therapy and yoga. Face the fear. Breathe. Relax the body to ease the mind. Visualize a positive outcome. Be carefully truthful. Be mindful of the stressors of others. Smile. Show kindness. Equanimity. In the end, I crossed the border without issue, was treated very well in Florida, witnessed only polite and friendly interactions, and was grateful for occasional rainfall that relieved the hot, sunny days.
At the venue, I discovered I had not been alone in my pre-conference angst. As attendees reunited or met for the first time, there were hugs, smiles, and laughter as there always are, yet also apologies for the state of current political affairs that led to our collective concerns. The conference delivered as expected with cutting edge learning opportunities, fantastic culinary experiences, and warm social gatherings. The hybrid format provided opportunity for people who chose not to travel to be able to attend from the safety of their home countries. They were missed and respected for their decisions not to travel.
Now, more than ever, it is important that those of us who do the work of assessing, treating, and preventing sexual harm, remain united and equanimous. As we anticipate the ATSA 2026 conference in Detroit, Michigan, whether we attend in-person or virtually, may we remain calm, cool, and connected through this era of the political hurricane against which we all brace, face, and manage with grace.
Inspired by the words of Mahatma Gandhi. “be the ‘changemaker’ you wish to see in the world.”
