Daily Moment of Calm & Beauty #1

The He/art of Resistance

I remember how burnt out I was during the first T.Rex administration, along with millions of other like-minded people. The Women’s March in DC, the Women’s Conference in Detroit, forming local mutual-aid societies, organizing to keep targeted people safe from harm. Stress hormones coursing through me daily as I read the newest headlines blasting us with incompetence, inhumanity, greed, nepotism, racism, misogyny, blatant disregard and exploitation of our natural resources, and so much more. I have no doubt that the next four years will be Take 2 - on steroids.

What is different this time around is my commitment to myself and my readers to infuse a bit of calm and serenity, a small break from the headlines, worry, anxiety, exasperation, trauma, fear. Stress hormones that incessantly cycle through us weaken our immune system ultimately leading to illness. We need to remain strong and healthy and support each other on whatever levels we can. As a writer and photographer, I want to offer a daily photo that calms and inspires, brings joy, serenity, gratitude. I hope it will become our moment of calm and beauty that refuels our internal reserves.

What buffers are you putting in place for yourself?

Stay fierce, but walk in beauty* (hágoónee,' a Navajo/Diné farewell greeting)!

Today’s picture: my gorgeous Miltassia orchid that is blooming now after taking a break for several years. She must have sensed that we needed her.

I am dedicating this orchid to the hundreds of thousands of desperate people who braved the jungles of the dangerous Darién gap on the Colombian/Panamanian border in search of a safe place.