Distractions toward Hope

I found this morning’s news devastating, as I imagine most of the community here will have done.

Despair, sadness, anger, fear. No need to elucidate further.

I’m finding some consolation in the solidarity within my Social Media community right now, so far away from home as I am, right now, here in Marrakech. Many posts and stories and messages sharing shock and dismay — and acknowledging an individual and a collective need to express and process our feelings. Along with that, I’m comforted by those who advise taking time for self-care as a profound and authentic response which will, when we’re ready, allow us to move back to the work our communities, our countries, and our world need from us.

And although at first it seemed to me impossible to post about my privileged travels, in the face of such drastic news, I am claiming this space today as self-care. A reminder to myself — and to any of you to whom this might be relevant or useful or pleasing — that there continues to be so much beauty and goodness in the world. Yes, this risks being a facile, privileged, tra-la-la dismissal of the very serious consequences of yesterday’s political choice. So be it. I will take that risk today, and hope you might find some small aesthetic pleasure here in these simple photos taken at a beautifully presented breakfast in our riad in Marrakech yesterday morning, when we were still filled with hope.

May that hope return before too long.

May it be a hope coupled with discernment for what is possible in this new landscape.

May we be able to draw on the hope and strength and connection that have grown over the last months as artists and writers and activists, knitters and menders and yogis and mothers and fathers and musicians and athletes shared and combined their creativity in exciting and powerful ways.

May we gradually restore faith alongside our hope. . . .

But until then, as we grieve and fret and fear, may we distract ourselves and nourish ourselves and calm ourselves with the beauty and joy that surrounds us. . .

I know that I’m particularly lucky right now to be in a place that offers me so much of this beauty — a place full of wild, chaotic, generous, messy, marvellous distraction.

but I remind myself that although it exists in very different forms, colours, textures and registers back home, beauty — and joy! on the daily! — exist back home as well. And that being attentive to it, taking the time to nurture myself with it, is not mere self-indulgence.

It’s also my work right now. Our work, perhaps. Working to get ourselves back in shape to Hope Again.

Okay, that’s all.

Take care of yourselves,

xo,

f

p.s. As long as your words are thoughtful and kind, comments are welcome here — and I will moderate the space to be sure we are supporting each other as needed right now.