Today, I am doing nothing of consequence. I am taking it easy, putzing around, not setting a schedule for myself beyond “do yoga this afternoon.”

It’s glorious. And rare. And I am grateful.

I know it’s the traditional time of year for gratitude, but I consider myself a grateful person, year round. (Look, I’m a human CareBear. Anyone who knows me, know this.) From looking up at the gorgeous stars in the night sky to being let in and trusted by those close to me, joys very rarely escape my notice.

This year has been somewhat trying. The road ahead seems questionable at best. And yet. And still. We rise, don’t we? We persist. We run toward the things that feel like hope, like home. We stand up for what and who matter.

I could list things and people I am grateful for, but I fear I’d be here all day. And I try to directly and explicitly tell people that I adore them, when I do. Because we don’t hear that stuff enough. It’s always easier to absorb the bad stuff. The hurt and heartbreaks are often companion to us, unbidden and unasked for.

It is rare that cut I someone out of my life. When I have, in the past, it’s either for my own well-being or they’ve crossed a line that I can’t abide and there’s simply nothing I can do to fix/correct that. Racism, sexism, transphobia — the unhinged rabbit hole that people all-too-often fall into that seems to divest them of previous kindness. You can, in part, thank social media for that — the very worst part of The Matrix.

What/who you call into your life is wildly important. From opening your heart to throwing open that door, who you invite in and who steps through — it matters. It can truly make all the difference, especially from day to ordinary day.

These days, my heart is full. That sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Of course, if there’s one thing I know about hearts, it’s that they’re the TARDIS of humans: always bigger on the inside. We have a truly endless, bottomless capacity for love — to give it and receive it. And my goodness, how wonderful is that?

How warm and how affirming and how magick.

If you ever forget that we are made of stardust and miracles, think on a time you felt truly loved and truly seen. Think about laughing with a friend. Or reaching out in the ether, across the miles, to offer or accept sweetness. How kindness and care can ease things we sometimes think cannot be eased. How the heart stuff truly matters so, so much.

For you, I wish softness and love. Joy and laughter. Kindness and ease. Miracles and magick. A space to breathe, an opportunity to seize. Hope that glitters like bright stars on a cold night.

Thanks for being here, darlings. Until next time, XOXO