this was a tough week

I am not a runner, so while I didn’t participate in the #runwithmaud today, I did dedicate my movement in his memory and in respect to those who loved him.

This was a difficult week, friends. I grow weary. I try to dedicate the work I make here on Chookooloonks and out in the world to celebrating its beauty and diversity, and then events like the lynching of Ahmaud Arbery happen that make me question the point of even trying - the hatred and greed and violence and bigotry and disdain for the preciousness of human life (by both citizens and leaders) always seem to win. Why even bother?

I remember once reading that the reasons that you fight for justice and kindness and love and compassion and empathy aren’t to change the world - that fundamentally, you should do these things simply because *they’re the right things to do.* And of course, I know this to be true.

But for now, I need to take a moment to breathe. And then, following the example of @valariekaur, who often quotes the midwife in her work, after we breathe ... we push again.

(I’ll return to our regularly scheduled This Was A Good Week post next week, friends.)

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