Around here things are hard. There are moments when I fall to my knees sobbing. Totally unsure what the future will look like. Heartbroken that my Dad has to be alone. Afraid to go to the supermarket. Avoiding any potential closeness to humans on my daily run.

It is a strange world we are navigating and I know I am not always handling it with grace. But that is ok. It’s ok to cry. It’s ok to sit in the fear. It’s ok to not know what the future will hold.

But with that darkness, there is still always light if you are willing to look for it. Moments of complete and utter joy. Laughter and silliness. Kindness and compassion.

Around here I have been seeking out these moments. Going for walks around the block. Facetiming with my nieces and nephews. Hosting weekly cousin game nights.

There is also showing up to the mat. Zoom Community gatherings. Carving out time to just sit and be quiet. Pushing myself out the door for fresh air even when I am reluctant to do so.

It is important to seek out the light, especially when you do not feel like it. It is going to be hard to do, but once you find it a small space will open up in your heart. You will begin to notice other things that were there before. You find your way back to yourself again.

In the darkness I invite you to find time to play. To let loose, shake things up. Turn to something you may not have tried before. Act like a child again.

With things being so hard I wasn’t sure if I would be able to find my inner spark. But once I broke out the sidewalk chalk and started drawing a smile formed on my face and joy began to beat inside my heart. It was one small moment of my day, but filed me up in ways I didn’t even know I needed.