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1. Acknowledge Sadness, But Don’t Let It Cancel Your Joy from The Gurdeep Magazine. This in particular was the reminder I needed, going in to this election week:

“It’s important to recognize that these troubles and problems have been an intrinsic part of the human experience throughout history and will likely persist into the foreseeable future. While we possess the capacity to address and potentially resolve some issues, others lie beyond our sphere of influence, originating from external sources such as governmental decisions, health crises, natural disasters, and various other factors beyond individual control.

However, this acknowledgment of life’s inherent difficulties should not lead us down a path of perpetual sadness and pessimism. Such a mindset can be detrimental to our overall well-being and quality of life.

Instead, it’s imperative to actively and intentionally seek out joy in our daily lives. This pursuit of joy is not a frivolous endeavor, but a necessary component in maintaining emotional equilibrium. Joy serves as a crucial counterweight to life’s challenges, helping to prevent us from slipping into the depths of depression or prolonged despair.”

2. Saying Yes on The Isolation Journals with Suleika Jaouad.

3. Breathe, a poem from Lynn Ungar, another good reminder for this election week. Another good one for this week is Holding Vigil by Alison Luterman.

4. Buddhist Advice for Election Anxiety on Lion’s Roar. “Are you experiencing strong, difficult emotions due to the upcoming election? Four Buddhists offer advice for dealing with despair, anger, grief, and anxiety.”

5. Election Anxiety from Patti Digh.

6. Why you are an artist from Danny Gregory.

7. The Evolution Of Día De Los Muertos.

8. 10 Gentle Reminders and Ideas to Calm Anxiety from Courtney Carver on Be More With Less.

9. If He Wins from Chuck Wendig on Terrible Minds.

10. You’re not burnt out, you’re being burned out.

11. Whether Underwater or Up a Tree, Close-Up Photographer of the Year Delights in the Details.

12. Magic and Whimsy Abound from Shannon Taylor’s Fantastic Watercolor Dioramas.

13. Luther Vandross and the Sound That Could Fill Hearts, or Break Them on The New York Times. (gift link) “He was hounded by a fat-phobic press, but as Dawn Porter’s new documentary shows, he was a transformational presence from the start.”

14. Mirrors on Easels Create the Illusion of Desert Landscape Paintings in California’s Joshua Tree National Park.

15. And finally, this random collection of things I saved on my phone this week.

1. Morning walks. The gold is starting to fall to the ground and there’s snow in the forecast. I told Eric last night that as much as I love walking with Ringo, there’s also a particular joy going to bed on a Friday night knowing I don’t have to get up early, can sleep as late as I want.

2. Practice. We’ve started to add some half hour lunch break yoga sessions to our schedule at Red Sage and even though it is shocking how quickly a half hour goes by, there’s also a particularly joyful energy to it. I’m feeling extra grateful for my Friday morning writing sangha and our wild-ish writing practice. With the election coming, it felt especially supportive this week.

3. There’s no need to rush. It’s hard when something you want takes a lot of time and effort rather than just manifesting fully formed. And with things that take time, there are also going to be moments when you get frustrated, can’t see the progress you’ve made, and maybe even want to give up. And it can feel like time is rushing by so fast, that it’s running out, and it’s hard not to push yourself. I keep reminding myself that it’s okay to pace myself, that there is plenty of time — even if there isn’t. Especially this time of year when nature is winding down and preparing for a “big sleep” until spring, I’m reminded that it’s not only okay to slow down, to rest, but it’s necessary.

4. Ringo curled up under my writing desk again. It was while we were writing on Friday morning. He’s always close by, but curling up at my feet is something he never really wanted to do, even though I invited him, always kept a dog bed there just in case. He only stayed for 5 or 10 minutes, but I’ll take it.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. Everything I want or need is right here.

Bonus joy: watching TV, good books, listening to music and podcasts, getting in the pool, the hydromassage chair, sitting in the sauna with Eric, clean sheets, payday, a warm shower, my bed, down pillows and blankets, head lamps, other people’s dogs and kids, pictures of my favorite kids in their Halloween costumes, making and eating good food, hugs, making each other laugh, texting with Chris and “the girls,” texting with Chloe’, sharing reels and memes with Shellie and Kari and Carrie, the miles and miles of trails we have access to, good neighbors, naps, libraries and librarians, poetry and poets, comedy, true crime, glasses, paint, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.