Beautiful! This is the spirit to have when we get on this wild ride of life. Paying attention to life's small wonders always carry us through the temporary hard stuff. Glad you treated yourself to a cookie! You deserve it! God, I love Sam Cooke. Playing A Change Is Going To Come and sending you so much love. Be gentle with yourself this weekend. Next week, we battle again! 💗🫂
I was thinking of our conversations while writing this! You’re good at reminding me to not relinquish my power! How I wish Sam Cooke had lived longer. But what an incredible impact he left. Love you!!!!🥰
I SO needed to read this just now, and I’m guessing many others could use it, too. I’ll come back to it every day if I have to. Thanks for reminding me of what’s mine and can’t be taken unless I surrender it. And that ain’t gonna happen. I wish you a thousand tiny joys today and every day.
Caroline, you are in my daily thoughts as all of this continues to unfold. You are not alone in the uncertainty and love for what your do. I appreciate your dedication to your job and your willingness to share your feelings about the uncertainty. Much love to you, my friend.
Caroline, you are wise, you are noble, and you write with an abundance of common eloquence…any one who reads can understand the importance of your work. To that end, I am upgrading to Paid in hopes that we, your readers, might be your back up plan, if needed.🌱🌿💚
This is exactly what I needed to read today. I'm proud of you for honoring those small moments. They matter so, so much. What an act of rebellion to savor them
so intuitive and plain smart to build an emotional structure from the ground up crafted with the solid material of awareness in all its vulnerability, love and pain, loss and regret that can weather any outside incursions and even those of us not directly threatened (yet) can learn from your strength in facing this moment all to say i empathise, cheer you on xo
Oh, thank you for this. Going through many unexpected life transitions and trying to fight despair has been hard. This reminded me to hold on to my softness, my desire for beauty and joy. Have you read On Beauty and Being Just by Elaine Scarry? Feel like you would enjoy it!
Sending love. It is really hard. I lost most everything quite some time ago and have been barely making ends meet for years now, so in some ways it seems easier. It's terrible that the important work you do may not be recognized. My mother was a librarian at a small college that maintained an archive and a rare book room, with barely the resources to do it but lots of love. We appreciate you! Not knowing is almost worst than knowing something bad, but I agree that it helps to focus on the small moments of beauty and joy.
April, I'm so so sorry for the losses you've experienced. And how awful that I've never met an archivist or librarian who didn't have to beg for funds. I used to work with rare books too and how I miss their smell. Thank you for being here!
I really love this article. Well done. Awesome perspective. + you found “it” with this line: claiming joy where I can, in the smallest and most ordinary moments that bloom suddenly.
I love this. And I’m so sorry you’re struggling with the completely unfair anxiety and stress around your job… it’s just awful. But it’s beautiful how you articulate this little “look on the bright side” attitude which is not “I’m going to pretend everything is fine” but rather saying “I’m going to notice that while everything is not fine, there are little sweet moments happening too. And I won’t ignore those.” I might have to steal your journaling practice- I also have a little mental block against forcing gratitude, so reframing it (even when it’s basically the same thing) might work. Thank you as always for your honesty, vulnerability, and thoughtfulness. 🤍
This essay is a keeper to return to when needed. I shared it with someone in your exact situation who shared it with their coworkers. At the end of the day we shared our small joys with each other, which was a small joy in itself. It made us more intentional about noticing moments throughout the day that brought us joy. Your joy spread joy 🥰
Beautiful! This is the spirit to have when we get on this wild ride of life. Paying attention to life's small wonders always carry us through the temporary hard stuff. Glad you treated yourself to a cookie! You deserve it! God, I love Sam Cooke. Playing A Change Is Going To Come and sending you so much love. Be gentle with yourself this weekend. Next week, we battle again! 💗🫂
I was thinking of our conversations while writing this! You’re good at reminding me to not relinquish my power! How I wish Sam Cooke had lived longer. But what an incredible impact he left. Love you!!!!🥰
I love YOU! 💘
I SO needed to read this just now, and I’m guessing many others could use it, too. I’ll come back to it every day if I have to. Thanks for reminding me of what’s mine and can’t be taken unless I surrender it. And that ain’t gonna happen. I wish you a thousand tiny joys today and every day.
Retta, this comment has filled me with joy!! Thank you!!! And a thousand tiny joys back at you!!
Caroline, you are in my daily thoughts as all of this continues to unfold. You are not alone in the uncertainty and love for what your do. I appreciate your dedication to your job and your willingness to share your feelings about the uncertainty. Much love to you, my friend.
You've been on my mind too, Pamela! How are you feeling? Your beautiful photos have brought me so much joy.
Thank you Caroline. I am okay. Still dealing with some home and health issues, but hanging in. I am so glad you have enjoyed the photos. More to come.
Caroline, you are wise, you are noble, and you write with an abundance of common eloquence…any one who reads can understand the importance of your work. To that end, I am upgrading to Paid in hopes that we, your readers, might be your back up plan, if needed.🌱🌿💚
Katherine, I’m so humbled by this comment. Thank you! Your presence here means so much to me. I hope you can feel my gratitude flowing your way 🤍💗❤️
This is exactly what I needed to read today. I'm proud of you for honoring those small moments. They matter so, so much. What an act of rebellion to savor them
This makes me happy, my friend!! We love a little rebellion!!
so intuitive and plain smart to build an emotional structure from the ground up crafted with the solid material of awareness in all its vulnerability, love and pain, loss and regret that can weather any outside incursions and even those of us not directly threatened (yet) can learn from your strength in facing this moment all to say i empathise, cheer you on xo
I don’t know…I could learn something from you about weathering the tundra!!
Oh, thank you for this. Going through many unexpected life transitions and trying to fight despair has been hard. This reminded me to hold on to my softness, my desire for beauty and joy. Have you read On Beauty and Being Just by Elaine Scarry? Feel like you would enjoy it!
Hold onto that softness!! It’s a strength!! Going to the bookstore later, going to see if they have it. Thank you!!!
Sending love. It is really hard. I lost most everything quite some time ago and have been barely making ends meet for years now, so in some ways it seems easier. It's terrible that the important work you do may not be recognized. My mother was a librarian at a small college that maintained an archive and a rare book room, with barely the resources to do it but lots of love. We appreciate you! Not knowing is almost worst than knowing something bad, but I agree that it helps to focus on the small moments of beauty and joy.
April, I'm so so sorry for the losses you've experienced. And how awful that I've never met an archivist or librarian who didn't have to beg for funds. I used to work with rare books too and how I miss their smell. Thank you for being here!
I really love this article. Well done. Awesome perspective. + you found “it” with this line: claiming joy where I can, in the smallest and most ordinary moments that bloom suddenly.
👏 👏
Thank you so so much, Mike!!
This is a gorgeous piece ❤️
This means so much. Thank you, Julie!!
I love this. And I’m so sorry you’re struggling with the completely unfair anxiety and stress around your job… it’s just awful. But it’s beautiful how you articulate this little “look on the bright side” attitude which is not “I’m going to pretend everything is fine” but rather saying “I’m going to notice that while everything is not fine, there are little sweet moments happening too. And I won’t ignore those.” I might have to steal your journaling practice- I also have a little mental block against forcing gratitude, so reframing it (even when it’s basically the same thing) might work. Thank you as always for your honesty, vulnerability, and thoughtfulness. 🤍
Arty! I’ve missed you! Thank you for always supporting me and making me feel like I’ve got things figured out 🥰🤍
A cookie, Sam cook, and did I detect a little middle finger to the powers that be vibe? Yes to all that! Thank you for continuing to share your heart!
Got another giant cookie today! And proudly waving that middle finger around!!
Nice!
This essay is a keeper to return to when needed. I shared it with someone in your exact situation who shared it with their coworkers. At the end of the day we shared our small joys with each other, which was a small joy in itself. It made us more intentional about noticing moments throughout the day that brought us joy. Your joy spread joy 🥰
Oh Lisa, thank you so so much for sharing this! This makes me joyful all over! 🤍
This essay is stunning. You’ve been in my thoughts lately, Caroline, and I’ll continue to keep you there. ❤️
Thank you, Maddie!! Your baking adventures have brought me such joy!
Thank you for this. I have been trying to live this, but today has felt extra hard. I needed this reminder. ❤
Sending little joys your way, thank you!!
You might like this https://a.co/d/c9TQHGV it’s been in my tote wherever I go ❤️
Love!!!