You're invited: Bring all of you, the good, bad, and ugly

Let us feast on the beauty and terror of life in the company of one another.

Good morning. I write to you today, chest-deep in grief with wings of hope. Both/and. 

Whole, complete. Tired. Weary. Excited.

I hope it’s okay to share all of it with you. 

I’ve been thinking about you as I sip my coffee- you, who has maybe also experienced the beauty and terror of grief. You- who perhaps struggles to become the artist you desire to be. Who does not yet believe your dreams are possible.

You- exhausted mother or caregiver who gives their all and yet still finds more to give with a shaky smile, whose love for others does not yet match your love for yourself.

These are some of the most isolating experiences I’ve lived and yet they are so common to all of us. To this shared, human aliveness. 

When I ask myself why I write, why I endeavor to share the good, bad, and ugly, it’s because I don’t want anyone to feel alone. Alone with anxiety, alone with loss, alone with heartbreak, alone in celebration.

Alone, paired with any state of being can feel insurmountable.¹

The invitation I have this morning and always is- come. Sit at the table with me. With us. Bring all of you- the good, bad, and ugly. Let us feast on the beauty and terror of life in the company of one another. 

This song is the essence of my invitation. La Blogotheque puts on so many beautiful, intimate shows like this one. Please listen, heart open. This is for you.

As I lean into my vision for Heartbeats, my hope is that you will, too. What can we create together? A thriving, resilient, regenerative community? A sacred container to draw from when we need nourishment and inspiration? A resting place to just be?

Photo by Amanda Lins on Unsplash

My intention is to hold the space. Start the conversation. Use the healing power of story to point you back toward your wholeness, our Wholeness.

I want to have fun, experiment, get a little bit wild, be transparent and flexible. I want to honor my father’s legacy of love and share his heart with you, still beating inside mine. 

My Dad, whom I miss terribly.

The methods may change, but the purpose is clear. Everyone is welcome here. Take what you need, bring what you have.

As we grow together, so will the vision. This is just the beginning. A jumping-off point. Here are some ideas for what I’d like to offer:

Monthly art share

Once a month I share your art! Bad art, just starting out art, experiments, responses to the creative prompts in the Sunday newsletter, magical art, projects you’ve been nurturing for decades or weeks. It’s all welcome. 

If you already have something in mind- please use this form to send it my way!

Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

Chat

I’m keeping chat open to all subscribers. In the future I see this space being used for mutual aid, sharing events, asking for help, forming collaborations, etc. I’ll get us started every Tuesday with some prompts but please make this space your own! Come with an idea, question, or something you’re grateful for that day.

Artist interviews

This is something I’m really excited about! I’d love to create space for burgeoning artists to share their journeys with others. A deep dive into their creative process of becoming. A chance to highlight challenges and triumphs and build community. This will be open to anyone and I’d love to receive nominations (you can nominate yourself)!

Photo by Marten Newhall on Unsplash

Guest collaborations

From the beginning, my intention is not to have a monologue but a conversation. This is your opportunity to share your wisdom and expertise!

Other ideas

A Heartbeats book club, in-person gatherings, giveaways, monthly tarot readings, charitable giving (voted on by readers), workshops, and more!

I have a lot to give and I feel honored to share it with you.

Photo by Héctor J. Rivas on Unsplash

A few subscriber changes

Our Tuesday chat will remain open for all subscribers. In addition, I’m opening monthly art shares for everyone. Paid subscribers will continue to receive bonus letters and poetry.

I’m no longer pay-walling any archived Sunday newsletters so everyone will have access to the free Sunday archives. (You can find all of the archived letters here).

Here is my ask, dear reader.

Participate. Engage. Be part of the conversation. If something doesn’t land, let me know! Take a risk and ask for what you want. Help hold the space and create a mutual vision. 

Share your voice, your art. Be kind to one another, practice grace out loud. Risk vulnerability and connection. Offer your honest feedback.² 

Share Heartbeats with one person. Widen the circle. Strengthen the safety net.

The invitation is an open one. 

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Will you come?

R.S.V.P. below with a comment and let me know what excites or resonates with you! What would you like to offer our community potluck? Share your ideas and wildest dreams.

Invite a friend. Or two. The more the merrier. 

1. There is a kind of alone-ness that feels expansive, wandering alone, staring up at the night sky or the rolling sea alone, the quiet contemplative alone that carries with it a fullness of presence. However, I’d argue even when we think we are alone, we are not.

2. Please take the reader survey, I’d love to hear your thoughts!