I have had the most wonderfully complicated, stressful and nurturing two weeks.
I am celebrating my brother still being with us after a dreadful medical scare, and all the emotions that come with that, and his recovery - fear, grief, empathy, love, gratitude.
I am deep in course creation for a program I only had an inkling about at the beginning of the year, but which my heart was all but screaming at me to create by November. It is stretching me in more ways than I considered possible, and there are some big emotions that come with that too - vulnerability, insecurity, anxiety, curiosity, trust, belonging.
I have gathered together a beautiful little community of wild-hearted artists who only days into the course content have shown themselves to be curious, compassionate, open-hearted and tender beings on a path to connection, and I get the honour of walking beside them.
I have surrounded myself with a group of truly supportive, loving creative business owners who know how hard a full time creative life can be, but who show up to the work every day because it is so important, and continue to encourage me to do the same.
I am dealing with my own mental and physical health journey’s, getting the support I need, and trying hard to remember to share the compassion I have for others with myself as well.
I am looking forward to a - hopefully - very different year next year. Completely different to the dumpster fire of this one. But I am also seeing how all the grief and hurt and sadness and confusion have given me a greater connection with my own humanity, and have provided clarity in so many ways.
And so, I look forward not just to a better 2024, but a better tomorrow, and the day after and the day after too. Because the only place I can actually be, that we can actually be, is right here and now.
Here I am, being. I am glad you are being here with me.
So as I finally take a deep exhalation after a fortnight and a half of holding my breath, I have a little gift for you.
A desktop calendar for 2024 with my new short eared owl in flight artwork.
How are you today? What are you doing to feel grounded and centred? Let’s talk about it in the comments, give each other some ideas how to soften into our day.
May you have as much loving kindness for yourself as you share with others,
As a reader from faraway South Africa, I see you accomplishing so much of real value, for yourself and - most especially - for others (including the wild ones). A tough year, to be sure, and I hope you can credit yourself for all you have put out into the world.
Thank you for the lovely calendar. And I wish you a calmer next few weeks!