The simplicity of joy and love has been part of my being for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, like most, I was taught shame, judgment, and expectations needed to ride in tandem because life is not a box of chocolates yet full of silos to fit into; we must make sure that we worry about what everyone else thinks about what we're doing, secrets are a must within the walls of a family, and "it is what it is."

I understand that we cannot have the good without the bad.

Black without the white to help highlight the spectrum of colors.

Hot without cold.

Healthy without the sick.

Beauty without ugliness.

Busy without boredom.

And so on.

Change is inevitable and essential.

And I choose to find joy and embrace the positive simply because this allows me to keep my mind, body, and soul flowing with love.

Love allows me to continue forward with confidence that this shall pass.

Love allows me to highlight my intelligence for each moment I spend moving through solutions to create a better community.

Love allows me to share gratitude for each moment I get to spend building a memory, knowing that someday our time together will end, and I want to remember the joy and leave behind a trail of grace and compassion.

Just for today, reconnect with your thread of love and notice, embrace, and if you can share, share a moment that will forever touch your heart and leave behind compassion and grace to encourage others to lead with love.

©2023 Alison Schuh Hawsey