How Joy Made An Appearance This Week

reminders to myself

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“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happened better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb. (Don't Hesitate).”

- Mary Oliver

‘Joy is not made to be a crumb’. I must admit that it has not been very easy for me to find joy this past week. Maybe Joy wasn’t made to be a crumb, but it sure seemed like Joy turned into a tiny crumb hiding under the couch somewhere. The turmoil and chaos in this world, plus the challenging Spring weather consisting of rain, snow, sleet and chilly winds, have made me want to crawl into a hole (aka my bed) and hide under the covers. I am not proud of that tendency.

I kept telling myself over and over again, “Don’t give into the fear and anxiety. Don’t let fear and anxiety become stronger than joy and contentment” and “The weather is going to be warm soon.”

And then I remembered Mary Oliver’s poem. And I knew that there were times during this past week where Joy had made an appearance and that I did let it happen, that I gave into it and that that made this week a gift and blessing despite the moments of worry and concern for this country and the world, despite the uncertainty and decisions that still have to be made regarding my own life.

Joy appears often in unexpected moments.

It appeared when I was about to go upstairs after dinner and continue to withdraw from the world, but my son asked me if I wanted to play poker with him and the rest of the family. We had so much fun and I hope we will play again later today. My husband crushed all of us and I went out first, but anyways…. Joy!

It appeared when I dove into a small, collaborative project this week (I cannot wait to share it with you!), and I was filled with so much excitement and couldn’t stop working on it. For a while, I forgot everything around me. So much Joy!

It appeared when I went out on a grey, rainy, wet, windy, cold, and cloudy morning and was able to take all these images that I love and made me happy. Maybe these simple gifts from nature will bring you a moment of solace, peace and beauty.

It appeared when my dog cuddled up to me, put her paw on my legs and looked me in the eyes as if saying “Don’t worry”.

It appeared when finally, finally, the sun made an appearance and the birds sang loudly and clearly as I went outside.

It appeared when I got together with two friends, and we laughed and talked and cried and experienced real human connection.

It appeared when I spent the entire Saturday afternoon on the couch, exhausted from the week, not wanting to do anything, and my husband returned with a load of groceries, unloaded them, put them away (most of them:)), and brought me a glass of wine.

It appeared when (secretly) looking at each of my sons, filled with love and thankfulness that I get to raise these two human beings. The older one is turning eighteen in a few days! Joy!

It appeared when reading other people’s Substack newsletters, realizing the beauty each one of you creates each week, and receiving kind comments and messages from people from all over the world. It makes me so grateful that there are so many people who believe that art matters, that art is necessity not nicety, that art makes this world better and more beautiful, and that no one can take away from us the gift of creativity.

And then I came across another message by the wonderful Heather Cox Richardson with a call for all of us to continue doing what we love, to build community, to not give into anger and fear, to continue showing up with love and kindness, and not let anyone steal our Joy.

I needed these reminders so bad this week. Maybe you need them, too.

Thank you so much for reading! It helps my work if you share it and/or leave a brief comment. I so appreciate it.

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Items Of Note

1. Upcoming Workshop With LA Photo Center

Join me for a three week long online workshop: “Diptychs, Triptychs and Beyond: Crafting Visual Narratives Through Image Pairing” starts Tuesday, April 29!

Sign up via LA Photo Center! There are still a couple of spots left.

2. Creative Hour On Zoom for paid subscribers

Join us from anywhere for this hour (or two) of sharing images and exchanging ideas.

Out next session is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 11 am CST.

I started hosting this lovely group of people because we enjoy sharing our work in progress and receiving suggestions and feedback. We also enjoy connecting over Zoom because it allows people from all over the country and world to participate.

We believe that connecting and sharing is one of the things that help us thrive as an artist, and we invite anyone to join who would either like to simply listen in, or bring some work to share. This is a casual, non-pressure environment and our time together always leaves me inspired and refreshed. Paid subscribers will received the Zoom link a few days before our meeting.