Atiliay noun, a play off the French word “atelier”; a workshop/studio, esp of an artist or designer; my creative space

Notes plural noun, a brief record of facts, topics, thoughts written down as an aid to memory; a short informal letter

 

Dear Friends, It is such a difficult and strange time right now, seeing all the atrocities in our neighborhoods, country, and around the world while still having to move through our day to day lives as usual. Feeling grief, anger, sadness, helplessness while also experiencing joy, hope, and love. Having a heaviness in our hearts while continuing to care for our loved ones. Keeping our small businesses going but feeling at odds about posting, selling, sharing because it feels unimportant compared to what many so people are experiencing right now. 

 

I've been talking to my friend Archna about this, how to hold all of this, how to process it, and how to contribute and move forward. I don't know what the answers are but it has been helpful to talk about it. It has helped to see that a lot of other people care and we are not alone in feeling this way. It has helped to remember what we are fighting for and why it's important to take action and try to move things forward. It has helped to see examples of humanity, kindness, joy, and beauty in the midst of all of this. I hope I can share a little bit of that with you as we close out the month.

🎨 “We don't turn to art to escape reality. We turn to it to stay human inside.” - Grace Gulley If creating calls out to you, please keep doing it. To me, it's our own small act of resistance to not let this be taken away from us and seeing your art, poems, photographs, stories continue to inspire me. A few ideas on what to make:

☕️ “I think he probably needs some tea.” Read this powerful post from Natalia Terfa on what happened when two women showed up to offer their community tea on the corner of 34th and Portland in Minneapolis.

 

🎷 A Dad's 20 month secret--a gift for his son and daughter-in-law's wedding. Watch the video on Instagram or YouTube, it had me in tears!

 

☮️ Walking For Peace "Our walking itself cannot create peace. But when someone encounters us — whether by the roadside, online or through a friend — when our message touches something deep within them, when it awakens the peace that has always lived quietly in their own heart — something sacred begins to unfold." Learn more about a group of Buddhist monks' journey from Texas to Washington, D.C. --this is their official website--and their adorable dog Aloka.

♻️ bell hooks talks about when she brought her anger to Thich Nhat Hanh: “and he, of course, mr. calm himself, mr. peace, said, ‘well, you know, hold on to your anger, and use it as compost for your garden." She also said in reflection: “and I think that if we think of anger as compost, we think of it as energy that can be recycled in the direction of our good. it is an empowering force. if we don't think about it that way, it becomes a debilitating and destructive force." Thank you to Roy Mong for sharing bell's powerful words.

 

📝 Understand Your Story is a free 7 day writing challenge created by my friend Regina. Journaling played an important part in her own healing journey and this guided expreience with thoughtful prompts will help you reflect, reconnect, or maybe start your own healing journey too. Sign up here.

 

✍️ The 100 Day Project officially begins February 22nd! I started mine Jan 1st. If you'd like to join me in creating 100 Every Days, you can find all the details along with 100 prompts here. Thank you to those who have already joined in--I love seeing your interpretations and how your projects are progressing!

 

✊ Today was the National Strike and Black Bright Candle put this great post together on ways you can participate, even if you couldn't take off work. There are many things listed that we can continue to do going forward such as supporting the businesses who did close and to boycott big corps and shop local and small when we can. I also saw comments about not shaming others and to give yourself grace because nobody can do this perfectly--but we can try our best to do our part and find better alternatives that are sustainable so we can continue doing this for the long haul.

Is there something you've read or seen that has helped you through these times or touched you? If you'd like to share, please hit reply because I could always use more of that in my life. I am holding on to hope though and believe in our power as individuals and as communities to create change.

 

Please take good care of yourself and those around you. Talk to you soon,

 

 

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