I’m still standing

Thanks to

Two or so weeks ago I randomly started to sing I’m still standing. Which maybe shows my exhaustion nearing the end of the year. Or maybe thoughts of Elton John are in the air. I’m not sure that I’m “looking like a true survivor” but I definitely am “feeling like a little kid”.

By the way, do read till the end for links to some of the most inspiring people’s projects.

I don’t have a Christmas tree (or any other decorations) in my apartment this year. But if I did, I would write these words on little pieces of paper and hang them in place of a garland:

I survived this year

Leaving and moving

Untying my fingers

Trying and failing to 

love

Being grateful

Being stupid

Having fun

Being bored

Failing and trying to

write

And trying to keep

Trying again

After a bad day

Or week

I survived

Thanks to family hugs and fortress walls

Thanks to the compassion of those I hurt

And the kindness

Of those crossing the street to meet me

Thanks to cowriting, girl talk, oversharing, and not sharing enough

Thanks to mornings that always come

Again

Thanks to my podcast co-host and her art¹, and her funniest 

Observations

Thanks to our project together with Nina²

And her presence

Thanks to Sasha’s inspiring stories³

And energy

Thanks to Aizere’s posts⁴

And reflections

Thanks to my work and my colleague’s punniest jokes

Thanks to caring coaching sessions with Vika⁵

Thanks to the people who let me in

And to the people who I dare

To invite

Thanks to poetry courses I never knew I needed 

And the kindness of friends and strangers who read this newsletter

I am forever grateful

To speak to you

Again

Today and in 2024

1. Check out Katya’s Instagram

2. Read one of Nina’s pieces in Geist Nr 4, Summer edition (pages 4-5)

3. Read Sasha’s essay about Hozier

4. Check out Aizere’s channel

5. Check out Vika’s Instagram and book a session

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I’m not even remotely close to naming everyone who I am grateful to and for this year. I just hope that this little message, this light bubble of energy will find them.

Today I traded through wind and snow and ice to coincidentally see my favorite barista. And they gave me a free almost full cup of batch-brew coffee, and I gave them a mint candy. I hope you will have plenty of happy coincidences and little (or not so little) pleasant adventures next year. And also, may you have good luck and sparkspeed making your dreams come true.

See you here next Saturday. Take care!