Life is not performance art. Neither is relationship or community or humility or hard work. Pay attention to what it is, not what it looks like. Things that matter have substance, depth, messiness, shadows. Grind away, eyes on the horizon. Chin up.
We assume that happy should be shared and sad must be experienced alone, and I’m not sure why. Share the struggle. There are those who will stand with us. Chin up.
Sometimes the small choices have long tails. I wonder, what if we chose […] instead of […]? Some choices are past, of course, but some are right now. Chin up.
Telling myself: Do what is necessary. Do what is unnecessary for you but still needed by someone. Do what you say you will. Do more than that. Do something that brings light. Do something that brings delight. (Do something.) Chin up.
We remain connected with everything we have touched. Every person, every place stays inside of us, knotted together with every other. Sometimes we forget until life tugs on a thread in joy or sorrow. And then we remember. Chin up.
Expecting perfection (from ourselves, each other) is not reasonable (I’m told). Expecting humility, honesty, presence, though, that seems like tablestakes. Chin up.