When Gratitude Keeps us Alive
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Hello friends, As I write this, cold, hard rains have returned after a brief false spring. The tulip magnolia buds that were just beginning to bloom lay in husks on damp sidewalks. Pink camellias lay in slick heaps, a danger to those without sturdy shoes. There’s a lot of danger in the world right now, for far too many of us. One thing that is getting me through is gratitude. In the wash of bad news, I see people showing up for one another. I see communities rallying to protect themselves and those who need it most. I see and hear signs—everywhere—that collectively, we are not giving up. Cultivating a daily gratitude practice allows me to notice all these actions, listen to all these voices, and feel bolstered, warmed inside by the light each of these people carry. To me, focusing on gratitude means that, among the slimy piles of camellia petals, I caught also caught sight of one, perfect, pink and whole. And I was able to see the blooms clinging stubbornly to the bush, nestled among the glossy green leaves. We are like those stubborn blooms, not giving up, despite being battered by hail and hard rain. There’s a second thing getting me through right now, and that is offering myself and others grace. By acknowledging that times are hard for almost all of us, my heart softens, as does my judgement. When the true culprits of our current precarious state seem impermeable and distant, is too easy to attack those nearby. I wrote more about offering grace right now on my Patreon. I made the essay free if you’d like to read my thoughts. But the main point is: we don’t have to attack each other. We can take a breath and remember to offer grace, and then let some measure of gratitude flow in again. The gratitude practice keeps me balanced enough to offer this grace, and to keep showing up for my work every day. Focusing on what is good helps me find ways to address the bad. How about you? Best wishes - Thorn My latest magical novel—based on the character Thomas the Rhymer—will launch with gorgeous special editions on Kickstarter this May. It's called The Winding Road. Please click to follow the campaign! Thanks!
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T. Thorn Coyle
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Hello friends, While walking in downtown Portland, Oregon, I was waiting at a crosswalk for the light to change. I glanced left, and there was a tiny piece of art affixed to a parking sign. It was a portrait of a person with peachy skin and long dark hair, among city lights, and it made me smile. Now, I know nothing about this artist. Perhaps they have paintings hung in galleries. Perhaps they sell art full time from their online store, or at weekend craft fairs. Who knows, maybe their work...
Hello friends, On one of my recent walks, I saw a sign stapled to the utility pole which read: “This is not a time for disbelief. This is a time for new beliefs, a time to remake the impossible.” Yes, indeed. It is also a time to take stock of what we do believe. What are our ethics? What are our core values? How do we wish to live? When we focus only on what we do not want, we tilt the world in that direction. Our thoughts and emotions become consumed, our bodies and actions dragged into the...