To say this week has been difficult would be an understatement. But like cats everywhere we will land on our feet, smooth our fur, and find a way to go on living our best lives.1
It's not the things that happen to us that matter most - what matters is how we respond and what we do next.
Let's check in with each other, over the coming weeks, months, years, in mutual care and support. Community is essential - we're all we've got!
Who do we want to be? To ourselves? To each other? We can't control how events in life unfold we can only control our own thoughts, words and behaviors in response to the events that happen.
As a deaf, gay woman I've already lived under abusive oppressive groups of people and I not only survived I went on to do well. I had some good help/community. Not everyone does. Which is why we need to look out for each other and purposefully create a caring community. So I know first hand that while the abusive people may think I'm dumb or sinful or inferior that is merely their opinion of me - it is not, and doesn't have to become, my factual reality. I didn't (and don't) have to surrender in advance and accept the abusers definitions of me (or their definitions of anyone else). I'm the one who defines and redefines who I am by my own thoughts, words and behaviors. It helped me, back in those former dark times, to focus as much as possible on the things, people and experiences I wanted more of - to continually create and maintain, as best I could, the loving life and community I wanted to see in the world.
This is even more true today. I will continue to make art and objects and illustrated stories … and love my community via my creativity.
Here's my sketchbook page attempt at humor on this topic …
… and here’s a page from a book I illustrated titled “Dr. Bob's Emotional Repair Program First Aid Kit”.
Here's another page from the same book. The illustrated content below is true no matter what the bad wolves may say or do.
And please find attached to this newsletter a hug from me. We will get through this together. 💚💚
Our Fairy Goddaughter shared the link below with us and it is both calming and inspirational. https://www.mindful.org/savor-your-values-finding-strength-in-compassion/
Wonderful post Sue. I'm with you all the way on what you say about supporting one-another. Taking a minute to tell someone you like their sweater or introducing yourself after being neighbors for years and never having gotten to know each other, can be brave for some of us. But, I say give it a whirl and see how it goes. You may find that they welcome a bit of an opening. If not, chalk it up to exercise for you next moment of bravery. And feeding the good wolf! :-)
Perfect shot of your kitty admiring your drawings! I must tell you that I received my pair of 'Bookstore Cat' mugs this week and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! They are meant to be early shopping for my Christmas list. But, I can see, I need some of these for me, too! :-) Anyone looking for a gift for a friend who likes books, cats and a mug of tea or coffee - this mug absolutely will give them a smile!
You are so uplifting... as we all struggle through this, your talent beams such a bright and positive light. Thank you.