The Small Things

While I’ve been working to get this blog ready to launch I’ve also found my head spinning with expectations. What if it’s not good enough? There are so many courageous people out there, putting their art, their voices, faces, opinions and ideas up for consumption. I’ve never been one of them. In the days of Tik Tok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch and myriad other platforms its so easy to participate in content creation. With so many talented people making their work available to us, I feel humbled sharing my own little corner of the universe. I catch myself being skeptical of my worth, but then I realized it’s not really about me at all.

The internet is a collective work in process. A place to share and gather information of every sort, a way to connect with and impact others and a portal through which we can transfer files, currency, and ideas. I have, as I’m sure many people have, gotten so much value out of this limitless resource whether it be through learning, connecting with others, finding comfort in a kindred soul or perusing my favorite topics. Until now I have been a spectator enjoying the fruits of other people’s labor. I guess my new perspective is that if even one person finds any value out of my photography or my posts then my job is done. If I can make a difference for a handful of people that will be enough, and it’s all I can ask for. The critic in me softened with this small epiphany and a reprieve from my own constant criticism inspired a quiet moment – which inspired this post filled with some quiet moments I’ve enjoyed recently. If you’ve ever been afraid of putting yourself or your work out there, I hope you find courage in knowing you’re not alone and that what you share could help someone!

Hoping you have found your quiet moments no matter what your head is spinning with this week. Take care.

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A Pandemic that Changed the World

It’s been almost a year since my partner first warned me of this thing called COVID-19, a rampant and highly infectious and potentially fatal coronavirus. We had planned a trip back to the continental US to see his family in February and he insisted that we purchase and wear medical grade masks while in enclosed spaces like the airport and on the plane. I fought him on it, arguing that this too shall pass and that it was some fluke. Having lived so far with hardly a doctor’s visit every half decade, I’m quite possibly the exact opposite of a hypochondriac (to my fiancé’s dismay) and may possibly err on the side of irresponsibility. But he was persistent, and so sadly obliged with my tail between my legs. ‘People are going to look at us weird,’ I thought, and they did. People looked at us with befuddlement, with judgment, and with concern. What’s wrong with them? Are those people wearing masks because they’re sick or because they’re hypochondriacs? But boy, am I glad I listened.

So much has happened since then. So many poignant events in and around this unexpected pandemic. We have, on all corners of the world, gone through waves of closures and reopenings, getting used to a new norm, then newer new norms, and recalibrating our decision-making, and navigating loss, depression, and isolating amidst the current climate. Through all this, many have lost homes, lost family or friends, lost jobs or lost themselves. It feels almost disingenuous or unjust to make short references or broad statements like I just did because I am well aware that each of us is going through this in a unique way. Despite all this, there are still other crazy things happening in the world, also other crazy good things happening in the world, like people getting married, and having kids, people pursuing their passions, learning new skills, helping others and cultivating love and relationships in ways we may not have imagined. While some days feel hopeless or glum, there is always a silver lining to be found. Where we might find this silver lining is as unique we are, but it’s there and no one finds it with their eyes closed. Remembering we aren’t alone, and also looking to outstretch a hand to someone who may need it might just be the thing.

Finding Joy in the Small Things

Here are some of the things I have found joy in this week. Hope you found your silver lining too.

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Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow So Sweet

This week has been an emotional one for those living in my corner of the world. A certain man has left office.

A man who has a penchant for inciting violence, being misogynistic, blatantly racist, LGBTQIA+phobic, unapologetically xenophobic, openly advocating discrimination of members of minority groups, taking children away from immigrant parents putting them in cages, reversing policies which allowed his own wife to move to the United States, lying about putting into place a vaccination plan to help aid the American community during the worst pandemic in its history, screwing up any handling or lack thereof of the pandemic crisis, withdrawing from a the Paris Climate Agreement and setting back years of progress in environmental protection, attempting to abolish Obamacare, not paying his own taxes and increasing tax write-offs for the wealthy and for large businesses while raising taxes for the lower and middle class, lying, lying, more lying and malfeasance in every form…and the list continues. And while I’m a student of spirituality and not religion, can I just say he is guilty of all of these as well? I better stop, because the list doesn’t end, and I’m sure you’re not here to read all of that. Now, we can take a deep breath. We can start healing now and stop allowing this man to cloud all the good there is in the world, and all the good people doing small and big things to make this place humane, kind, and a place to be proud of again.

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Anyway, I am here to CELEBRATE the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, also monumental event in which Kamala Harris’ inauguration has broken the glass ceiling in so many ways. In just a few days, the President has already signed executive actions in an effort to undo he-who-must-not-be-named’s initiatives and I am for the first time in a long time feeling empowered and confident in a brighter future! While this huge win takes precedence right now, I have also found joy this week in these small things. After all, when we don’t have big wins like the ones we had this week, small joys in multitude are paramount.

Finding Joy in the Small Things

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I hope your week was filled with many joys small or big, and peace in quiet moments.

<3

PS. The format for this new series was greatly inspired by a wonderful minimalist lifestyle blog by writer Erin Boyle who does a “My Week In Objects (Mostly)” series where she muses on the things that have left a mark on her. I highly highly recommend all her writings and look forward to purchasing and reading her soon to be released book as well!