Sometimes it’s the little things that really matter.

 

Frankly, I don’t know what to write today. I want to say something uplifting, helpful and reassuring. But, I’m afraid, it’s just not there for me and maybe, not for you either. What’s going on around us is beyond words. And yet, words are more important now than ever. 

We have to stick together and one of the ways to do that is with words and acts of love and appreciation and caring. It doesn’t have to be grand, in fact, the smaller the better.

Little acts of love. 

During my illness and recovery period, I crocheted. I made hats with fuzzy yarn and smooth yarn. Small hats and medium hats and large hats. All different colors. I gave them out to my children and grandchildren but after a while I had made more hats than they could use. So I looked around for a place where hats and scarves were needed. 

This week, I was able to bring my hats and scarves to a center for women and children in my own neighborhood that I didn’t even know was there. I was greeted with excitement and told that one hat would fit one of their babies right away. It brought happy tears to my eyes to know that my little white hat was going to keep a little one warm. 

Little signs of life. 

On my daily walks through the neighborhood, I look for signs of spring. It’s still pretty cold here but this week, I saw this old, old tree. I stopped. This old tree has bark missing and limbs broken. It’s shorter than I am and I’m short. But even with all of these wounds and breaks, it is blooming.

This week, this tree is sign of life proving that even broken things can bloom again.  

Little creative acts. 

One of my favorite birds is the crow. They are powerful birds who live together and take care of each other. They build nests in our huge cedar tree, break the ice and drink from our patio cover and call out to each other and chat throughout the day. 

With everything that’s going on, I didn’t feel like creating. But the crows insisted, I think. Because one day, I took out my pen, paper and watercolors and next thing I knew, a crow had landed on my studio table. 

Yes. Little acts of love and signs of life and crows are the things that really matter. 

Don’t let it get you down.

 

I just want you to know, I get it. I’m just as angry and tired and sad about the election and the behavior of the stupid, newly elected being in the big White House. Notice I am not naming names or titles because this person, these people don’t deserve that kind of honor. Because they are not honorable. They are thieves. Plain and simple. 

But don’t let them take you down with them.

Because that’s what they want. They want you to be tired, scared and stressed and give in. They want you to be angry. They feed off of it. 

So don’t. 

Don’t give them your anger to fuel their hate. 

Don’t give them your fear to fuel their aggression. 

Don’t give them your energy. It fuels them and fills their pocket books. 

And I believe, they will not last. 

Give love and comfort. 

  

In the meantime, what can you or I do to make our lives better? One thing we can all do right away in our own homes and lives to transform our anger into love. 

What do you love to do? Do it. I’m thinking of Martha Beck’s idea of making a Sanity Quilt. Quite simply, it’s finding small, easy things in your life that you love to do and doing it. I know, it sounds simple but it works. 

So do it.  

Do your walk in the woods to fuel your sense of wonder. 

Pet your dog.  

Hug your spouse. 

Kiss your grandbaby to give and receive love. 

Doodle with colorful markers. 

Take a beautiful photo to share to fuel your creativity.  

Write in your journal. 

Write a positive post on social media to share good thoughts. 

Be kind to your elected officials and their interns who are on your side. 

Help others and help yourself. 

What can you do that helps make life better? 

It doesn’t have to be big.

Thrive Anyway

The past few weeks have been crazy. And I’m convinced that is the intention of this new situation we have with our government. You’ll notice I’m not naming names, political parties or internet barons. Why? Because, names have power and I’m not giving it to them. I know, it’s a shit show. But I’ve decided not waddle into it with them. I believe that’s what they want me/us to do.   

I resist. And I’ve found my own way to fight and some needed inspiration from this poem by Loren Brantz.

“In a time of hate

Love is an act of resistance

In a time of fear

Faith is an act of resistance 

In a time of misinformation

Education is an act of resistance 

In a time of poor leadership

Community is an act of resistance

In a time like this

Joy is an act of resistance

Resist. Resist. Resist.”

• Loryn Brantz

Love.

I’m going to send out love into the world as much as I can. I’m helping my family stay healthy and calm with words of support. I’m taking care of my grandsons and granddaughter by giving them a safe, loving place to have fun. 

Faith.

I’m going to send out faith instead of fear.  We are strong.  Each of us is powerful in our own hearts and our own lives. We will get through and beyond all of this because we believe not just in our rights but also the rights of others. 

Education.

I’m going to help educate myself and others by seeking and sending out facts and good information. Here’s a link to a Substack podcast written by an experienced broadcast journalist. https://miketurner921.substack.com/p/trouble-in-the-newsroom?r=2j4566

Community.

I’m sending appreciation out into the world as much as I can. I’m there to help my neighbors and friends. I’m making and donating crochet hats and scarves to keep people warm. I’m thanking the park workers who clean the bathrooms and trim the trees to keep the park beautiful. I’m wishing every walker I pass by a ‘good morning’ and a smile. 

Joy.

I’m going to continue to create whenever and wherever I can. I will not let fear stop me. I will continue to paint and sculpt and crochet. I will share it with anyone who wants and needs to create joy in their life too. 

This is my resistance. What’s yours?