It’s A Lot Right Now
But I still have something beautiful to share.
The past seven days have been a lot.
I considered not posting today because I’m unsure what helpful additions I can make to the current conversation. It feels like we need a break—or maybe that’s just me.
As I write this, it’s Veteran’s Day. 5th Avenue is closed in anticipation of the annual parade. It’s weird to see the central thoroughfare of Manhattan shut down, void of people and cars.
Wednesday is World Kindness Day, and when you read this (Tuesday), it will be a weird day sandwiched between.
Life goes on.
The results of this election have stirred up a lot for me to process. One of the main things I’m wrestling with is how people close to me can see things so differently than I do. What does that say about them - what does it say about me?
The other thing is how effectively this election cycle has divided us. It’s heartbreaking.
I’m trying to be open and find compassion, but that attempt is crashing too much against my anger. I know I’ll get there (she said more confidently than she felt). But today, I swim in a sea of varied emotions, slowly inching my way toward acceptance.
No matter the cause, the discord I feel in my heart is my own—and it is my responsibility to handle it.
I must reach in before I can reach out.
I’m taking this time to do a deep dive into my heart and connect with myself more fully. I’ve begun to touch on deep feelings about how sexism and misogyny have caused harm in my life. Not new issues, but there is more here than I’d realized. I am opening up in a new way, releasing some things and becoming a little more honest with myself. That, juxtaposed with rest and allowing my feelings to present is taking time.
It is hard work and also good work. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Beautiful things - because life goes on!
LoveNotes!
Remember the Off-Broadway Storytelling event I did in February? The stories from that show and some additional pieces picked by Heather Christie have all been combined in the LoveNotes Anthology. You can see what I wrote about the performance here and a podcast I did with my story partner, Stacy Smith Rogers, here:
This anthology is filled with beautiful stories of love, journal prompts, activities, and more. My story is on page 59!
My first book! Also called, How To Blow Up Your Life
I turned in the first draft of my book to my publisher this week. It feels surreal and exciting. I am looking for Beta readers—and your help would be greatly appreciated. If you’re interested, send me a note, and I’ll put you on the list!
Headed back to my journal now and will see you all next week:-)
LYLAS -
S
"No matter the cause, the discord I feel in my heart is my own—and it is my responsibility to handle it." This is what I keep coming back to myself, although stated much more eloquently than it feels in my rattled brain. As much as I'd like to disavow all responsibility for this as I feel I did my part, that won't help me get through the coming years with my sanity in tact nor will it help me keep my heart open during those years, both things that I value deeply. And so, in I go!
Sara -- I love the video of you on the computer -- right there with ya, friend. But, you're right. There ARE so many beautiful things we can share in spite of it all.