For my mental health during my time away from work I spent most of it outside puttering around in the garden and wilderness of the surrounding land where my home is situated. My fingers are sore because I took off my gloves to feel and dig in the dirt to place fragile pansies into place. The air is easy on my lungs and I feel a bit freer than other times. Because to be honest it has felt hard to breathe with all the hatred and violence all around us… and why? My soul is sore of all the hate and violence and how others cannot breathe as easily as me.

So I invite you to do what you can to hold onto goodness and beauty. During some of my SWELL chats over the past week, the residents have used nature to cope with the isolation and changes. It is so helpful to hear how the birds and the bluff and the gardens can ground people into a sense of well-being even amidst the pandemic.

This is the picture of the tree in the little courtyard here:

Look out the windows on the first and second floors towards the kitchen and you will see the delicate blossoms in person.
Take the time to do what you can to hold onto goodness… the look and touch of your child, the beauty of the blossoming tree, the feel of the cool earth on your hands or the surprising hug of your beloved. You are worth the time and effort to open to beauty wherever you can find it.

A short thought from Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
The little care that that fretted me.
I lost them yesterday
Among the fields above the sea.
Among the winds at play;
Among the lowing of the herds
The rustling of the trees,
Among the singing of the birds,
The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what may happen,
I cast them all away
Among the clover-scented grass,
Among the new-mown hay;
Among the husking of the corn
Where drowsy poppies nod,
Where ill thoughts die and good are born,
Out in the fields with God.

You are so deserving of beauty and care and love and belonging. Seek it out in yourself and in those around you. If you can’t find it then ask for help.
You are worth so much to the world and you are the only one who can give who you are. May you be wrapped in love this day.

Warmly,
Michelle