fortifying worn heartstrings

Lately, all I’ve wanted to do is read.

I’ve been finding it hard to focus. Perhaps you can relate, because- THE WORLD. My sibling bought me a sticker that says, “Stop the world, I want to get off”. Every time my eyes land on its lettering, it affirms to me that yes, things are that bad- and there is grief and anger and disgust and incredulity and so much to do. But I do still believe that we are never beyond hope. And hope is how resistance keeps resisting. How it refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer. A sliver of light breaking through.

But lately, all I’ve wanted to do is read.

In the midst of swirling headlines, work, and hospital calls to Sapporo, the only thing I seem able to hold on to in more than scattered smatterings… are stories.

I think it’s because they’re transporting, permitting me a few hours to jump ship and slip into another world that feels more hopeful than this one simply because it isn’t real. An imaginary place, yet filled with very real characters who make me care about them (with all their faults and endearing -isms, and most of all- heart). They draw me in, take me along from page to page, and bid me to consider things in a variety of angles and perspectives.

And when the pages ruffle closed for the time being, I feel a little less distraught and a little less drained because they’ve filled me with something again, helping me reconnect in some way without requiring anything of me in return. I feel a sense of resoluteness returning: Live out love through every choice and action we can until we change the world.

Perhaps, I’m drawn to pages full of words because it feels like my own have been faltering lately. Disconnected fragments and incomplete thoughts stumbling over each other in a jumble of emotions / thoughts / fears all knotted up together in one terrific mess that can’t possibly be teased apart as they try-and-fail to articulate unspeakable things that all seem to have to do with humanity forgetting its very own definition.

Stories are how I’ve been subconsciously refueling depleted vessels and fortifying worn heartstrings. How I’ve been letting my heart feel something that isn’t only dread or sadness. Reminding myself that there is still good in this world and all is not lost when compassion grows wild and free.

• Dream & Scheme Co-Working Sessions (Fridays 3/28, 4/11, 4/25)

• Creativity Keepers Sessions every second-Tuesday (4/11)

• Guided Creative Retreat: Creative Rest (Tues., 4/22 or Sat., 4/26)

• World Collage Day Workshop (Sat., May 10)

  

• Takumi Alley Maker’s Market (Sat., 4/19)

• Taste of Japan at Takumi Town (Fri.-Sun., June 13, 14, 15)

• Justice Sunbird Sticker Fundraiser // Raising funds for the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), a nonprofit organization providing aide in Palestine + support to Palestinian refugees. @unrwausa unrwausa.org

• @jewishvoiceforpeace // jewishvoicesforpeace.org // Jews organizing toward Palestinian liberation and Judaism beyond Zionism

• Ways to support Palestinian creatives, artists, writers, and companies + orgs with actions we can take

© Kimberly Kuniko

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