Hello, readers. I know it’s been a while. Like so many of us here in the US, I have been having to direct my energy and efforts towards my health, my family, and continuing to participate in my local community in Texas. Plus the addition of some surprise health concerns, this season of life continues to challenge me. But, I think it’s well established that I can keep going, even if it’s out of spite. I hope you can, too.

This summer has been a whirlwind of unprecedented events, and the amplification of harm escalating around the globe. It is a razor-thin line to keep dancing on, to remain informed and keep some semblance of self, of mental sanity. I have stumbled in my path of continuing to find glimmers of joy, of creating, and connecting. I have felt the undercurrent of guilt and inadequacy of living where I live, and the privilege and pain that accompanies that. I received a loving reminder today to keep holding onto feeding the flame within me, which has summoned me to return to this little corner of the internet.

Remaining authentic in a time like this for the history of not just our country, but the world, is critical. But this is going to look different for everyone. For myself, I know that it’s in my nature to care for myself, the people in my life, and to show up for my communities. Sometimes that looks like sharing news articles and interviews amongst friends and just empathizing that current events are awful. Sometimes that looks like chatting with my husband about what we can do to help people on a local level. Sometimes that looks like giving small funds to people experiencing a hardship. Sometimes it looks like thinking of a friend you haven’t seen in a while, and reminding them that they are important and loved. Sometimes it looks like breaking a sweat with your favorite physical activities to keep your body healthy and release some static energy. Sometimes it’s scooping your pet up in your arms, rocking slowly whilst singing made up songs. Sometimes it’s volunteering on a hot day, but knowing someone out there is a little more cared for because of your efforts. Sometimes it feels like sinking into a hot bubble-filled bath with some screamo rock blaring loud enough that you can scream into the void.

What ever actions or choices feel genuine to you, and give you that sense of returning to joy, peace, fulfilment, that is what we need to keep doing. We cannot succumb to the feelings of hopelessness that lead to inaction. That is how the hate and violence will win. I know it can feel bewildering, looking at our peers, our family members, our colleagues, wondering how to keep going. But to hold onto what makes each of us unique and living beings, and continuing to share, connect, vocalize, and embrace, that is how we will get through this. Continuous hardships are what new beginnings are founded on, and I choose to believe that there are enough of us actively working towards forging a new world. There are enough of us who will not look away from the horrors, who will not stop sharing the news stories, who will not stop organizing and strategizing, to build this and make this possible. There are enough of us that feel the stinging pain of injustice and know that this isn’t okay, and cannot continue. There are enough of us to pull us into a time of healing and peace.

So, readers, hold fast to your actions, your traits, your motivators that make you who you are. You are needed for building this new path forward.