So I almost called this thread, āApocalyptic Hellscape Summer 2.0!!!ā but then I reconsidered. I donāt think any of us need any additional reminders that things are, uh, challenging at the moment. Here in NorCal, a wild, incredibly unseasonal storm last weekend caused almost 11,000 lightning strikes, which were magical in the moment until they caused dozens of fires that are now raging all around us. Insult to injury, etc etc.
UGH.
Instead of commiserating, however, on all that is awful, this weekās question is:
š«What are your bright spots?
At Mondayās Bridge Club, one of my sober besties shared that sheās recently hit a deeper level of acceptance around current world circumstances, and that itās lead to a greater ability to stay present and find peace in her day-to-day. Iāve been thinking about this nonstop. We all know things are going to be challenging for so much longer than weād like to admit. We are all dealing with an undercurrent of stress that is impacting our normal functioning in ways we maybe donāt even realize, yet. We are all doing the best we can. So: What are your bright spots, yāall? Those little moments, interactions, practices, friends, pets, that are still making you laugh, or smile, or stay present. Sound off in the comments below šš½ Maybe we can make a constellation of these moments, buoy each other with a web of good, if humble, news.
Me first!
š¦ Long walks in the parks that surround me (hereās my favorite SF cityscape):
š¶ This guy:
šÆ Also (and I think this deserves a longer post, because Iām already verklempt just thinking about it): Friends. Zooming with friends, safe walks with friends, long phone calls with friends, letters to and from friends. Iāll take all the awful if it means I get to walk the planet at the same time as all of you.
All right boo boos, have a fantastic-as-possible weekend. Got some links below, and please! Donāt forget to share your bright spotsā¦
š Kickstarter puts out this very 1999 looking website called The Creative Independent. Itās āā¦a growing resource of emotional and practical guidance for creative people, published ad-free by Kickstarter, aĀ public-benefit corporation. We produce interviews, wisdom, and guides that illuminate the trials and tribulations of living a creative life, as told by working artistsāincluding writers, musicians, designers, visual artists, and others. Our goal is to feed and grow the community of people who create.ā Canāt wait to dig in this weekendā¦there is SO much good stuff.
š¤Æ Iād be a liar if I said I didnāt worry about this kind of all the time.
šŖš½ I recently revisited this post about how CrossFit helped my friend move through the grief of her fatherās alcohol-related death, and itās so. damn. good.
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Bright spots are definitely long phone calls with my oldest girl friends. It is so refreshing actually, to pick up the phone instead of communicating via text and Facebook or IG... My yoga studio. and... We got a kitten this week, the best bright spot yet. xo
Ahh. For me the night spots are my babies, re-reading Anne of Green Gables to them before bed, impromptu dance parties, sending care packages to friends far away, working on my art, I've started breading in the evenings more often, lighting a nice smelling candle and listening to Sarah Blondin in the bath.
love these bright spots, Elisabeth! especially the image of your rascally granddaughter x
Bright spots? You and the Tempest community. Damn straight, sister.
love you Ted <3
Bright spots are definitely long phone calls with my oldest girl friends. It is so refreshing actually, to pick up the phone instead of communicating via text and Facebook or IG... My yoga studio. and... We got a kitten this week, the best bright spot yet. xo
i'm so mad substack doesn't allow photos in comments! what's kitty's name? miss you xxoo
Ahh. For me the night spots are my babies, re-reading Anne of Green Gables to them before bed, impromptu dance parties, sending care packages to friends far away, working on my art, I've started breading in the evenings more often, lighting a nice smelling candle and listening to Sarah Blondin in the bath.
my nervous system just downshifted reading this. Maybe I'll re-read Anne of Green Gables, too.
Her descriptions are so vivid and dreamy, it's like a holiday of the mind.
maybe you could record yourself reading, and i could play it to help me fall asleep <3