It’s been a tough month for just about everyone I’ve talked to... myself included.  (Yes, I talk to myself— even more since the pandemic started.  Ha!)  The July theme for the Brave Joy Collective, Strength, has really focused my attention on the relationships and connections that help us make it through the tough stuff.  So many kinds of things contribute to our well being, and can give us energy to share!  It's done me a lot of good recently to look closely for the obvious and the obscure support.

A few highlights:

Hummingbirds at our feeders, and the mama on the nest in the tree nearby.

The Insight Timer meditation app, and loads of people all around the world using it at the same time I am.

Our weekly farm CSA bag full of vibrant veggies and fruit.  Cherry tomatoes!

Texas Democrats protesting to protect voting rights.

The guy at the Fed Ex shop who said hello again when we randomly both showed up at the Post Office an hour later.

The other guy who moved his cart out of the way at the grocery store.

Healthcare workers and researchers.

The friend who told me, “Go get some rest. You are loved, you are enough.”

Rain!  Blessed rain in the desert.

Peaches!

Planning to see family— in person— for the first time in so, so long.

A beautiful, hand-made gift full of love and care.

The ways our neighbors watch out for each other.

The full moon.

A solid sense of the Spirit’s guidance for a decision.

Moving through a stuck place into a deep breath and a fresh try.

Grooving to new tunes about transformation in a friend’s terrific Spotify playlist.

Finding and supporting a fantastic project using art for conversation and positive change.  Their Kickstarter Campaign thrilled me with what smart, generous creativity can do!  (Educators, scroll to the bottom for free resources.)

Taking turns sharing fears and tears on a walk.

Meeting new neighbors and joining our voices at a small Line 3 protest here in Albuquerque.

Rubbing my cat’s big, fluffy belly.  Who could resist?

Greeting fellow dog walkers on the trails around the fields.

Receiving a wonderful thank you card, out of the blue, from someone who uses my art.

Cracking up at jokes my wife read from a website when we totally needed to laugh.  (What’s the best thing about Switzerland? I don’t know, but the flag is a big plus.)

Listening to Robin Wall Kimmerer read her gorgeous book, Braiding Sweet Grass, one night when I couldn’t sleep.*

Making this list.  This little practice totally lifted my mood and my spirits.  I couldn’t stop thinking of things I wanted to add… Thanks be!

 

 

What would your list look like? 

Try it as a spiritual practice... you just might like it, and it just might lift your mood, too.  :-)

 

With love and blessing, Melanie

 

 

PS:  If you're humming a tune you can't quite figure out, it might be "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music.  I couldn't help but make a little pun for the post title...  thanks, Julie Andrews.