Normalize hardship my cells sing, cry out normalize the ridiculous wildness that does not cease goes on for so long permanent scars erupt on our knees
It’s another mild-ish summer morning in the Arizona desert. I’m awake before 7 am. I would like to always be awake before 7 am. And also, I submit myself to the reality of the unknown. That some days I am steel-boned… and others, my arm falls out of joint. My body needs more time to rest, maybe even heal.
How do you manage the unknown and unknowable, beloved?
I recently wrote (in a post about transparency & our challenge as of late), “We know to be open to impermanence at this point; honor the transient nature of wins.”
Does this resonate for you?
If so, how do you honor transience?
Me, I normalize it.
I know of no other way to stay sane.
I’m beginning to think I am not alone in this, though. My social media full of other artists, writers, creatives exploring pain at the intersection of everything else. Creative exploration seems almost necessary that we stay grounded in every season, loves. Especially those that are extra hard.
Throughout time and history, countless others have done the same.
Which leaves one simple question nipping at my heels today.
Dear soul tender, person who gives care to this world and her people - are you welcoming a relationship with your pain? Can you create something out of it? A knit sock, a steaming cup of tea, lines on rugs perfectly-imperfect from a vacuum cleaner, a watercolor piece, clean dishes, seedlings erupting to new life, a song? The options for our creativity are endless, darling soul. Molded by the Master Artist Herself, we make art. And that art is expressed in a thousand different ways.
Squeezes,
J. 🌻
A note on pride month
Blessed be those who stand beside those who are scorned.
I think this might be the most natural place for artists and soul tenders alike, my friend. And so, when I came across the newest music video by Derek Webb Boys Will Be Girls my heart skipped a beat. Came into concordance with with his, perhaps, yours too.
Derek’s single is the latest in an onslaught of once-condemning, now-affirming art that makes my soul sing. He also wrote these lovely words below:
“This is also true July-May.”
Beloveds, if we are to love well - then we love all well. All the time. The creative in me absolutely loved Derek’s song that honors Divine Love in the body of trans people. If you’d like to listen in, here’s the link.
I’ve listened to it half a dozen times this morning (a note that there is one explicit line) and I’m pretty sure it will be the highlight of my day.
I heard Jesus loved and spent his life with those who
Were abandoned by proud and fearful men
So if a church won't celebrate and love you
They're believing lies that can't save you or them
'Cause you're so beautiful by any nameBoys Will Be Girls by Derek Webb
Love is how we change the world.
I love you.
New here? Reclamation is a safe, inclusive and progressive faith-filled space where you can find contemplations at the intersection of caregiving, pain and peace. My promise here is to remind you of how to love well. Yourself, your kids, your neighbor, and the whole wide world.
Thank you for introducing me to new and beautiful music, Jennifer! I also checked out Flamy Grant's music and loved it. Always inspired and touched by your posts.