I’ll be completely honest with you, dear reader.
It’s been a rough few weeks. Though I consider myself a shameless idealist, there are moments in the past month when I’ve felt like crawling under a rock.
My father is not well. I’ve been caring for him at his home while we figure out next steps. My dog died (see Jimmy the Great). Several close friends are experiencing serious crises. And, let’s face it, it’s November. It’s not the sunniest time of year. This sludge-fest is not even counting the sludge-fest that is international news.
Cue the other day when I may have been feeling a tad sorry for myself. My husband said, “I’m putting up the Christmas lights. I don’t care if it’s early. The world needs more light”.
He’s absolutely right.
The world DOES need more light.
Whatever private struggles we experience - and these struggles come to us all - we have a choice. Those tiny, everyday glimmers of joy surround us if only we’re looking.
Though these past weeks have been challenging on a personal level, I remain hopeful. Hopeful about the power of a single voice, about the existence of good and kind people, about the magic of laughter.
To celebrate these moments of light, I’ve compiled a completely random list of joyful, funny, irreverent, and hopeful moments that just might brighten your week.
The dark days of winter are necessary to sow the seeds of our future selves, the unstoppable people we were born to be.
In the meantime, let’s take a moment to laugh in the face of the tough stuff.
Let there be light
WATCH
Adele’s Thanksgiving Miracle
U.S. Thanksgiving is this week. A classic SNL skit to celebrate.
GIVE
Master Class with David Sedaris
How do you give the gift of comedy?
David Sedaris, the legendarily quirky and laugh-out-loud author/ storyteller, is offering a master class on how to deliver a perfect one-liner. It might be the most unique - and happy - gift on your list.
READ
Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier
Kevin Kelly will restore your faith in humanity. Everyone deserves a copy of this book.
SING
I was lucky enough to attend a recent live show by masters of the sing-a-long Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman. Plot twist: the audience is the choir.
We belted out an epic 80s singalong that lasted over two hours. I sang my heart out, and so did every last person in that theatre. Does it get better than this? No, it does not. If you can’t catch a live show, check out their shows on YouTube. I dare you not to smile.
LISTEN
Branded ‘meditation for fidgety skeptics’, this podcast is refreshing, real, and light-hearted. Highly recommend.
EXPERIENCE
Christmas Lights
Christmas lights originated with pagan rituals to mark the winter solstice on December 21st. This ancient tradition has its roots in humans casting light on darkest days of the year. The best part? You don’t need to celebrate Christmas to enjoy the display.
The bigger, the better.
“A wonderful thing about true laughter is that it just destroys any kind of system of dividing people.”
John Cleese
Exactly what I needed this morning! I laughed, I got teary, and I subscribed to a new podcast! Thanks Heather!
thank-you!