So fitting for our country right now. Remembering MLK today, and praying for peace this week.
Repost @katiecouric
community
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What a dark day for our country. I lit this candle for a little bit of comfort and light for us all.
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My #bestnine on Instagram this year, according to your likes. Some good moments despite all the 2020 crap.
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Happy Veterans Day! Thank you to all of you who have served, or are currently serving. Beyond grateful for everything you’ve sacrificed for our freedom.
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Voted! First time living in a vote-by-mail state, and I’m bummed I don’t get a lil sticker. 😉
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Last dinner at @dakitchen before it closes its doors this week. So sad to see this happen, but I definitely enjoyed every last bite of this delicious teriyaki chicken meal.
What beauty did you notice today?
What beauty did you notice today? Was it the beautiful blue sky, the smell of your morning coffee, your favorite song on repeat? Tell me in the comments in this Instagram post!
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Juneteenth 2020.
Repost @reginayhicks; Art @indaviduall・・・
Today is Freedom Day. Juneteenth (June 19th) commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free 155 years ago.
Sadly it took a full two years after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation speech before the news reached enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas.
Juneteenth is a symbol of total freedom. Recognizing Juneteenth nationally would be one more way of acknowledging the intrinsic value of Black people and their history and contribution to the wealth and prosperity of this country.
Learn a little more about today and what it truly means. Continue to educate yourselves. This day is more than a hashtag.
Celebrate the day- watch a movie or read a book or register to vote or take a moment to learn something about black culture. Invest in Black People by uplifting and supporting Black led organizations and Black owned businesses today and every day.
Celebrate the culture. Recognize the struggle.
Spread beauty during this challenging year
The past few months have been downright ugly. But it’s comforting to know that beauty still exists in the midst of everything we’ve gone through this year.
Challenge yourself to notice the little things in life. And when you do, take a picture, and share it on Instagram using the hashtag #ichoosebeauty. Not only will it help lift your spirits, it might just put a smile on someone else’s face.
See beauty. Share beauty. Spread beauty. #ichoosebeauty
#ichoosebeauty Day 2400
2400 days of #ichoosebeauty, as seen here using green lentils! When I first started looking for life’s beauty in 2013, I thought I’d just be doing it for a few short weeks… and now here we are more than 6 years later. I’m so grateful for all the little things I’ve found along the way, and for all the connections I’ve made here since I started this project! ️
The unexpected magic of 2020
Remember when we were all enthralled by what would be 2020?! A new year, a new decade, a seemingly magical number… 20-20… Oh, the hopes and dreams we had!
And then… it felt like a train wreck real fast.
Things were unbearable when Covid hit. And escalated with everything going on with the racism in this country.
If you’re like me, you may be thinking that this is not the enchanting 2020 you had in mind! Not by a long shot.
But when I was talking to my therapist about this recently, she challenged me into thinking that maybe 2020 IS magical, just in different ways than we imagined.
Maybe the magic is in pushing ourselves as individuals and as a country. In the growth we are all experiencing this year. In learning what really matters.
And maybe, just maybe… the magic is that we will end up with exactly what we need.
One thing is for sure, these last few months have taken a toll on our collective mental health. So make sure you’re taking care of yours.
If you need some extra support right now, my partner Mental Health America can help with things like free screenings, referrals for mental health providers, and information on affordable treatment if you don’t have insurance.
Take good care, friends.
Fighting racism as an empath
My heart is so heavy for all my Black family members, friends, and community.
The racism in this country is disgusting, but you know what shook me even more over the past few days? Seeing so many vile comments filled with hatred in places I never dreamed they’d be. I was flabbergasted, and my heart sank even more. But at least this brought racists out to the surface, right? So I know who I don’t want in my life.
Like I learned years ago in therapy… we must have darkness to see the light. And this week, I can see that light in the unity, in the protests still going strong, and in the changes starting to happen.
As an empath, I’m trying to find the balance between keeping up with what’s going on, using my energy to speak out and act, and resting so that I’m not completely depleted.
We must keep fighting against racism and police brutality. There’s obviously a lot of work to do, and it’s going to take all of us to make real change happen. But we must also take care of our mental health.
This is hard. This is heavy. It’s going to be a long road, and we can’t quit. So know that it’s okay to take a break when you need one. I always find that when I do that, I come back even stronger.
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Another breathtaking photo of the historic protests happening across the country. This one is from the San Francisco Chronicle and photographer, Jessica Christian.
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How beautiful is this picture from ABC News? Photographer, Philip Greenberg took it using a telephoto lens to compress the distance between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Change must happen.
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More accounts to follow on Instagram to learn about white privilege and anti-racism: @ohhappydani @domrobxrts @rachel.cargle. I will continue to share these as I find them. If you know of others, please post them in the comments on this Instagram post.
Do something
It’s not enough to feel outraged about what happened to George Floyd. We must all DO SOMETHING. Whether it’s speaking up on social media, having the tough conversations with friends and family, or making a donation to organizations that are fighting racism. Do something. Change won’t happen without action.
A few suggestions:
- Sign the #JusticeForFloyd petition. It calls for the four officers involved in his death to have their pensions revoked, be blocked from ever working in law enforcement again, and to be charged with murder. Signing the petition will send a letter to Mayor Jacob Frey and District Attorney Michael Freeman. Text FLOYD to 55156 to sign it.
- Donate to the official George Floyd Memorial Fund: gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
- Support groups fighting hate and seeking justice like the NAACP, ACLU, and Southern Poverty Law Center
- Read AND do the work outlined in these books:
–“White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism”
❗Do not be silent. Use your voice. DO SOMETHING.❗
COVID-19 Mental Health Resources
As COVID-19 changes life as we know it, it can easily create a lot of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.
Whether the pandemic has you concerned about your health, your loved ones’ health, your finances, schools closing, cancelled trips and plans, and everything else that keeps changing several times a day… please remember that your feelings are valid, and that you’re not alone. It’s a lot to take on.
If you need extra support right now, I want to share a few resources that can help:
- My partner, Mental Health America has a Crisis Text Line with Crisis Counselors ready to help you cope. Text MHA to 741741.
- Also, Mental Health America and Shine Text launched a new website filled with tools, free meditations, Q&As with experts, and info to help support your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic: virusanxiety.com
- And lastly, if you just want a way to feel a little more positive every day, my free 30-day #ichoosebeauty Challenge is still available. It’s a guided beauty treasure hunt to help you focus on the simple things in life and find one good thing each day, even in the midst of the COVID-19 chaos. Sign up here or in the box below.
I hope these tools are helpful to you. Please share them with anyone you think might need them.
We’re all in this together, friends.
Love you. xx Sahar