Small Gestures Matter
I've been trying to write this week's newsletter, but I don't have the focus for it. My heart is just howling at the everything. I know I am not alone in this.
So, here is what I will tell you.
If you’re wondering if a small gesture or step matters, it does. You don’t have to move a whole mountain by yourself. You don’t have to do everything. Do one thing. Care about one thing. Gather your courage and your passion and your care, and put it to use.
Things are overwhelming. The noise is loud. Things are designed to make you feel hopeless, scared, powerless.
You have a voice. You have your courage. These are powerful things.
And remember, please, when things are dark and messy? When things are hard and feeling relentless? Move toward joy. Dance. Put on music. Make plans with a friend. Set up jars with faerie lights in them. Burn candles you love. Send photos to a friend. Take a selfie.
Look after yourself, too. Because darlings, you cannot help anyone if you run yourself into the ground. And you matter. Here, now, in the middle of the everything. You matter.
This week reminded me so much of why connection and care matter. It reaffirmed for me again how having each other is everything. Never forget that.
And I’ll leave you with this poem I had published in Strange Horizons last week: “Of Water, Always Seeking.”
Love harder. Seek joy. Joy is rebellion, my darlings.
With Valentine’s Day coming up, we could use a little joy. I sometimes send cards to friends, and my siblings and I always exchange little gifts. I like supporting small businesses.
Here are two I adore: The Peculiarity Shop and Sweet Day! (Sweet Day has a discount that runs until V Day: Sweetheart15.) Pretty things and tasty candy? Win.