Courage

It's Wednesday, let's write it.

Courage... what's the definition? As a noun (according to le google) Courage means: the ability to do something that frightens one. OR: the strength in the face of pain or grief.

I have a lot of courage these days. But before we get to me, I want to remind you that we all have a lot of courage these days. You reading this right now, are courageous. The pandemic is a large scale trauma that all of us are frankly still processing, and just starting to get out of the physical pandemic. I think we're all grieving...

Grieving our old selves (even if you appreciate and are more of yourself now than you've ever been). Grieving people we've lost to COVID, whether that be through physical death, or through the loss of cutting a tie. Grieving old creature comforts, some of my old restaurants still aren't open past 8PM. Grieving old habits, even if they were toxic... the familiar is a mind fuck, because what's familiar isn't always familial or friendly... come on alliteration! lol

I think all of us to some degree, are in pain. The pain of starting over. The pain of starting anew. The pain of growth. The pain of the last two years and everything it brought and took. The pain of division amongst the world, our nation, genders, race, equity... just... the pain of disconnection. The pain of paying $5.30 at the pump. The pain of groceries being the equivalent to eating out. the pain of the attack on women, children, Black people, minorities in general, and Transgender communities.

Yet, here we are. Strong. Going for it, day after day. Waking up-- showering, smiling, loving, talking, praying, eating... and I think the most important right now, laughing. We are being courageous. We are being strong, because I think more of us are allowing ourselves to say: 'Hey, today I'm weak and I'm hurting.. and I don't feel like I can do this shit anymore."

We're being strong because we're choosing (at different rates so get in where you fit in) to say: NO

We're being strong because we're learning how to rest without ever having seen a boomer do it.

We're being strong because we're deciding to keep at it, and very clear that it's a choice.

So... please, let me serve as your reminder today that you're courageous.... and that courageous is contagious.

I love you, it's hard out here right now, but you're doing this damn right-- and right is showing up. So keep showing up, and keep resting, and keep saying no, and keep praying, and keep crying, and keep laughing, and keep showering, keep talking it out with your homies, keep on, keep fighting. You're winning... even though you can't see it..

I'll leave you with this: " I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

With all of my love, until next time,

Mrs. Jasmin Dominique Taylor