The title of this newsletter is actually in reference to a Led Zeppelin song!
I subscribe to the Storyteller app, which was created by Morgan Harper Nichols’. She sends you a daily message which is usually very deep and meditative. I was particularly inspired by one asking me to reflect upon the last ten years of my life.
Lately, I haven’t been feeling too confident or proud of myself. I know I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I like it that way. When I reviewed my last ten years, I was surprised by the amount of growth I have accomplished in ways I never could have predicted. I’m sure this is the same for you. Yesterday, I was thinking about how drastically my life will change in the next ten years. I am very excited for the new experiences.
A lot of people I have been speaking to lately are struggling. We are overcoming adversity in our personal lives, as well as dealing with the controversial politics of the world. The war in Ukraine is still carrying on. The US has overturned Roe vs Wade, has had a slew of gun violence tragedies, and now, has now limited the power of the EPA even more.
There is hope, however. Kentaji Brown Jackson has just been sworn in as the first black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. And I am encouraged by all of you, my friends, who fight every day for the Earth and the marginalized groups of society. Keep going. Don’t give up. Every day is a step closer towards the future we are all dreaming of.
So what have the last ten years been like for you? What were the surprises and the tragedies? What were the miracles? There are so many people I have met, places I have gone, people I have kissed, and even this newsletter is literally a dream come true. Thank you so much for reading. It is a priceless gift to me. Even the bad things like losing loved ones is a part of life, and I have accepted it as just a facet for growth.
I’m going to make a little list of my achievements and I would like for you to make one, too. I won’t share it here just yet. I love that our lists will have things that won’t seem like achievements to anyone except ourselves. I think that is so beautiful and unique.
We cannot start this year over, but we can resolve to make the best of it. I have made some big decisions in the wake of Justus’ death. It is terrifying, but also exhilarating to travel outside of your comfort zone. I hope that you can try several new things this year.
But if you need time and space to slow down, I understand that as well. Mental health and self care has never seemed more important for us than now. So many of us are burnt out, physically and emotionally. If you need to disappear for a while, that is totally okay. If you need to sit and process your grief, that is okay. I’ll be here waiting for when you are ready to open up again.
Thank you,
Michelle 🌻
Listen to: Lizzie Alpine
this grief is still killing me
i had an amazing day today
what a relief
despite all the sadness of missing you
the absence
the pain
the dull noise
the echoes
grief is a wave rushing back in
at night--
our time
my life is so empty without you
despite all of the blessings I have
why did you have to go
i know i know i know
it was always your time to go
you were just waiting to meet me first
i know i know i know
i was left behind
to do good things with my time
and i'll do them in your name
you are in everything i do
and everything i say
and everything i feel
i wish i could tell you all of the amazing things
that happened to me today
but i'm sure you already know
and you probably brought them my way
i know we’ll be together again one day
Beautiful read and poem Michelle! You are so correct about how things we consider achievements may be small in others eyes but big to us. Time flies it is a blessing to experience growth despite the losses and adversities we face.
~raisah