March, the month of expectations is upon here. While the world feels faster, louder, and more fragile than ever, nature’s rhythms remain constant. As I appreciate the subtle shifts in seasons, I also search for the unchanging.
Of course, spring follows winter. Each day, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. A smile remains a universal language. And so is unchanging art’s role in times of rapid change.
Mallards gather on the icy lake
Across history, art has served a purpose greater than expression during periods of upheaval. It becomes a source of resistance, hope and healing. It fosters understanding and empathy, bridging divides and turning pain into insight.
The world has always needed love. But how can we love one another in these uncertain times, when we can’t even connect on a deeper level or put ourselves in someone else’s shoes to understand their perspective.
A pair of shoes tied to a tree…
This got me thinking, and as we celebrate international women’s day, that perhaps this spring demands we sow not only seeds of hope but also empathy for a compassion and resilient world.
Think about how your artwork, whatever the form, enriches people’s lives! While art may not cultivate empathy, it prompts us to pause, notice and see things differently. This is what I find beautiful and powerful about art’s enduring role.
AI-generated image of world globe map
It’s also the reason I urge you to keep making your art, if you’re an artist. To borrow words from a fellow poet, Rosemary Nissen-Wade, maybe the only person your art will save is yourself.
Happy Women’s Day to all who identify! And of course, every day is women’s day. ♥
As you might have guessed, I’d love to hear from you. 🙂 What are some things that remain unchanged or have stood the test of time? Please do share!
PS. The photo featuring women artists working is AI-generated.
Listen friend — Word has it that censorship alive and kicking in the 21st century gags unpalatable books so as not to offend good people’s ears. What a caterwauling hullabaloo, for we’re all offended!
I tell you, in this season of rage wherelikability is a tradeable commodity, my tongue is swollen —an allergic reaction— as I learn I’m likeable when I’m cultured, nice and silent. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, for we live in the era of emojis.
I yearn, I yearn, for an honest conversation to speak openly and trustingly about things that make us human. If not, then I’d rather swallow my tongue than discuss weather.
Back to beauty— Last night as I stood outside, ten thousand rainbows careered around. They swallowed all the darkness as they lit the sky.
PS. This poem was first featured at Lit eZine. With the publisher’s permission, I’m sharing it here too. Because censorship takes many forms, and banning books is only one of them. And because “there is no history without Black history.”
I close 2024 with a bang, literally. I tripped over a wheel stop in the shopping centre carpark, falling face-first and hitting my forehead on the hard surface. The weight of my backpack exacerbated the fall, and the loud thud sent my husband into a tizzy. I heard panic in his voice as he tried to pull me up.
Sometimes, the sound is louder than the impact. Even with a sizeable bump on my forehead that hasn’t fully disappeared, there was no need for an ambulance. The injury wasn’t severe. I simply sat down to regain composure while applying a pack of frozen peas to reduce the swelling
An image of the culprit: a wheel stop / parking bumper
After easing my husband’s concerns about a possible concussion, we proceeded to our accommodation. And I spent the whole day resting, as we decided to cancel our sightseeing plans. We could talk about poorly designed spaces, and places where pedestrian safety is clearly not a priority. My focus, however, is on the significance of that incident, not to blame designers or architects.
Because there’s always something bigger than me
We were winding down our trip in Thailand and getting ready to head home in time for New Year’s celebrations. Sporting a gigantic bump on my forehead felt like the universe was having a good laugh at me: You think you’ve got your word for 2025 figured out? Focus on what is right in front of you!
An image of a forest in winter
I’d been quite pleased with choosing “responsibility” as my word for the year. It stemmed from a desire to let go of a strained familial relationship that had weighed on me. I’d finally accepted I’ll never get an apology. Hence, taking responsibility for my feelings and actions made sense and was the way to go for me this year. Taking responsibility for one’s own actions is still important, if you ask me.
Anyway, my fall highlighted a few things: the importance of focusing on things within my view and surroundings, appreciate my support system and take time to rest.
Because there’s only so much we can do
The world voted in 2024, and some predicted a post-election hangover in 2025. The sheer volume of international issues, coupled with new leadership and policies, creates a sense of overwhelm. Where does one start? Which cause to fight for?
You’re not required to save the world with your creativity. Your art not only doesn’t have to be original, in other words, it also doesn’t have to be important.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
I’m not advocating for an “all-or-nothing” approach. But I’m simply suggestingthat we adjust our focus and attempt what’s within our capabilities, rather than spreading our efforts thin. Activism is super important, because it provides us with a sense of agency and connectedness. However, we can only do so much.
I also suspect noise pollution, with digital gravel slung in all directions and the messaging on how we are not doing enough, doing it wrong, etc., will reach a new high. So, I’ll share a poem by Hanif Abdurraqib, How Can Black People Write About Flowers at a Time Like This, I return to repeatedly when I feel the pressure to write about serious matters rather than the seemingly frivolous pursuit of beauty.
Because small can be part of the whole
Did you know that skiing demands more than just fitness? Yes, that’s right; skiing requires morebody awareness, mental focus, and the right equipment. However, even with the small percentage of fitness required, one couldn’t just pick up the skis and sail downhill. You still need to be strong and flexible to enjoy it, and not injure yourself.
I believe incorporating this mix into our daily lives could prove helpful. That is,periodically, check in with ourselves and ask, “Do I need a break? Am I focusing on what matters? Is my current equipment still suitable for the task?”
Writing is part of my essential equipment. Yours might differ, but the idea is the same. So, we can use what we already have, no matter how insignificant it might seem, and keep contributing what we can to the ongoing discourse.
An AI-generated image depicting a woman skiing downhill
Anyway, this is a long way of arriving at my word, focus, for 2025. But here am I, trying to focus on what is, not what if. Perhaps, like a skier on a slope, by concentrating on our surroundings, adjusting to changes, and filtering out distractions, we can maintain our sanity during these unpredictable times.
PS. You can read this article, The world in 2025, to learn about issues shaping international agenda this year.
PPS. Feature image taken at Levi Ski Resort.
UPDATE: My website has been down (inaccessible) for an entire week due to web hosting issues. If you’ve been trying to reach it, apologies for the inconvenience.
