Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Sascha. I agree, it is such hard work! Somehow, I love the challenge of unknotting this story of mine, as I'm sure you do yours.❤️
It's been an especially difficult week for me ... the state of our Union has me in a fog that won't shake anytime soon, but your plea for us to "look for the light" reminds me, this morning, that there is good in this world. Thank you!
I'm with you, Justin. The collective gloom can feel overwhelming, but there IS still good in this world. Humans (like firefighters!) often shine in the worst of times, but you already know that. Let's hope.
I liked this post a lot Maria... keep up the good work. My "favorite" former neighbor and I spent a lot of time on our walks looking at the sky and our surroundings in wonder. I miss that (and her)!
It's going to HAVE to be the little things. Thank you for this deep breath and exhale and views. A friend shared this on Tues after the stupid inauguration of our kakistocracy..."As for how we survive, we develop self-care skills, we arrange and honor joyful experiences for ourselves, we support community and social justice, and we remember that the powers that be want us to feel afraid and cowed and powerless and hopeless—so creating and claiming a rich, affirming existence, and taking opportunities for joy when they occur, is a radical act.” xoxoxo
Just what I needed to read this morning! The sun shines in our small town, York, SC,
Freezing temperatures should be nearing normal in a few days. Your message reminded me of the sorrows, challenges, joys offered by our world. Your words bring clarity.
Thank you. I think about this often. What we are all carrying and how many of us there are - especially as I walk down the street in NYC - and how hidden and heavy it all is. ❤️
You get it.❤️ I imagine this thought really hits home in a place like NYC—all those people and their stories streaming by. Alone, yet we're all in this together. Thank you for always reading, Karen.
This is beautiful, written with so much compassion and empathy. Sending you lots of love with everything that is happening at the moment, and lots of joy for writing your novel. ✨
Beautiful post, Maria. Somehow Substack knew I’d like your writing… I’m also here juggling family life and the dream of publication, although I’m nowhere near a completed first draft. The most inspiring thing I’ve seen in the last 24 hours is Henry Eliot’s video here on Anna Karenina.
Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words, Juliet. I'm so glad to be connected here. I was nowhere near the end of my first draft not so very long ago. Keep going! I will definitely check out that video.
"But we can guard our small joys and sources of strength; we can keep our lights on for each other, like little beacons of hope when the clouds close in."
Yes, we can. Thanks for this, Maria. This post and a photo card in the mail yesterday--from a couple of 38 years with the headline "Love is in the Air"--are two rays of light in a dark week.
Maria, this was a beautiful post and these photos are incredible! Thank you for sharing. After living with an invisible disability for more than a decade now, I completely agree with what you said - everyone is walking around with some sort of pain, and everyone has scars whether they are visible to others or not. And in the midst of darkness we need to make the extra effort to look for the glimmers of light.
Thank you for your kind words, Wendy. I imagine you are quite sensitive to others' invisible hurts and how they impact our days, interactions, and perspectives. I like to think, on those days that feel like too much (for whatever reason), there is another person—or sunrise or ocean view—who can balance the darkness with light. As for the photos, our California coast never ceases to amaze and inspire.❤️✨
Yes, the beginning of the year proved to be challenging. But as you said so beautifully there's always light. A sunrise, a walk along the ocean, our kids, a meditation, a good book. I believe if we lead our lives with kindness and love, we’ll see a better world.🥰
This really resonated. For me, working on my novel is also a wonderful respite, hard as it may be (and it's such hard work sometimes!).
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Sascha. I agree, it is such hard work! Somehow, I love the challenge of unknotting this story of mine, as I'm sure you do yours.❤️
It's been an especially difficult week for me ... the state of our Union has me in a fog that won't shake anytime soon, but your plea for us to "look for the light" reminds me, this morning, that there is good in this world. Thank you!
I'm with you, Justin. The collective gloom can feel overwhelming, but there IS still good in this world. Humans (like firefighters!) often shine in the worst of times, but you already know that. Let's hope.
This is touching…
Thank you so much for reading, Christopher. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I liked this post a lot Maria... keep up the good work. My "favorite" former neighbor and I spent a lot of time on our walks looking at the sky and our surroundings in wonder. I miss that (and her)!
You have inherited that quality.
Thank you so much for reading, Melanie. Your sweet words bring back a lot of wonderful memories.❤️
It's going to HAVE to be the little things. Thank you for this deep breath and exhale and views. A friend shared this on Tues after the stupid inauguration of our kakistocracy..."As for how we survive, we develop self-care skills, we arrange and honor joyful experiences for ourselves, we support community and social justice, and we remember that the powers that be want us to feel afraid and cowed and powerless and hopeless—so creating and claiming a rich, affirming existence, and taking opportunities for joy when they occur, is a radical act.” xoxoxo
Mic drop! Beautifully and perfectly worded. Radical joy🙌
Just what I needed to read this morning! The sun shines in our small town, York, SC,
Freezing temperatures should be nearing normal in a few days. Your message reminded me of the sorrows, challenges, joys offered by our world. Your words bring clarity.
Thank you!
Paulajo
I'm so glad this post AND the sun brightened your day a little, Paulajo. I always smile when I see your name in the comments.❤️
Yes, you've had some crazy cold weather lately.❄️ I do hope it warms up a bit for you very soon.
So beautiful. “we can keep our lights on for each other, like little beacons of hope when the clouds close in.”
Thank you for this lovely image and gentle call to action.
Thank you so much for reading and your kind words, James. I'm so glad you connected with that image. I find it comforting.❤️
Thank you. I think about this often. What we are all carrying and how many of us there are - especially as I walk down the street in NYC - and how hidden and heavy it all is. ❤️
You get it.❤️ I imagine this thought really hits home in a place like NYC—all those people and their stories streaming by. Alone, yet we're all in this together. Thank you for always reading, Karen.
This is beautiful, written with so much compassion and empathy. Sending you lots of love with everything that is happening at the moment, and lots of joy for writing your novel. ✨
Thank you for kind words, Lesley. And for reading! Your good wishes mean so much. So glad to be connected here.☺️
Beautiful. Thanks you, I needed this!
I'm so glad it found you on the right day, Sarah. Thanks for reading. I hope you're well these days. ❤️
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for giving us a peek through your window and reminding us to keep perspective. ✨
Thank you for reading, Michelle. So glad you're here.✨
Love this, Maria. What a lovely, peaceful reminder. So needed. Echoes a conversation I was just having with a friend…I’m sending this to her now!
Oh, how lovely! Thank you so much, Mary.✨
Beautiful post, Maria. Somehow Substack knew I’d like your writing… I’m also here juggling family life and the dream of publication, although I’m nowhere near a completed first draft. The most inspiring thing I’ve seen in the last 24 hours is Henry Eliot’s video here on Anna Karenina.
Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words, Juliet. I'm so glad to be connected here. I was nowhere near the end of my first draft not so very long ago. Keep going! I will definitely check out that video.
"But we can guard our small joys and sources of strength; we can keep our lights on for each other, like little beacons of hope when the clouds close in."
Yes, we can. Thanks for this, Maria. This post and a photo card in the mail yesterday--from a couple of 38 years with the headline "Love is in the Air"--are two rays of light in a dark week.
That warms my heart, Jody. And that card! That’s pretty special, and how can you not smile? That just lit up my week too.🥰
Maria, this was a beautiful post and these photos are incredible! Thank you for sharing. After living with an invisible disability for more than a decade now, I completely agree with what you said - everyone is walking around with some sort of pain, and everyone has scars whether they are visible to others or not. And in the midst of darkness we need to make the extra effort to look for the glimmers of light.
Thank you for your kind words, Wendy. I imagine you are quite sensitive to others' invisible hurts and how they impact our days, interactions, and perspectives. I like to think, on those days that feel like too much (for whatever reason), there is another person—or sunrise or ocean view—who can balance the darkness with light. As for the photos, our California coast never ceases to amaze and inspire.❤️✨
What a soothing text! And the pictures! Exactly what I needed before heading to bed.
Oh, this made me happy. I'm glad it resonated, Carina. Thank you so much for reading!❤️
Yes, the beginning of the year proved to be challenging. But as you said so beautifully there's always light. A sunrise, a walk along the ocean, our kids, a meditation, a good book. I believe if we lead our lives with kindness and love, we’ll see a better world.🥰
I'm with you, Olivia. Sometimes the simplest truth is the seed of repair. Thank you so much for reading.❤️