Comfort & Inspiration

It's been cold enough that we've begun lighting fires in the hundred year old fireplace in our home. That comforts me.

The autumn leaves carpet the streets and cling to the branches. Those dripping shades of ocher, red, and gold inspire me.

A month or so ago I put a bunch of books on hold at the library, not knowing exactly when they would come in, or more accurately, when the e-books would be released to be read by another patron.

Well, a bunch of them released at once, so I've been plowing through these virtual stacks of books, in the morning over my tea, or in the evening as I lie in bed. These stories bracket my workday, offering both inspiration and comfort at the same time.

There's still a lot I'm angry about. A lot I'm worried about. But I can't live in those states, though they do help spur me to action. I need both comfort and inspiration in a slow steady drip. A digestible diet. Comfort and inspiration both keep me going for the long-haul. They help me to recommit to relationships, creativity, spiritual practice, and to using my love and anger to help build a more equitable, beautiful, and just society.

So how about it? What gives you comfort these days? What inspires you?

What keeps you going?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Did you know you can request your favorite author’s books at the library? That includes my novels! You can request both print and e-books. Oftentimes, with ebooks, it’s as easy as doing a search in your library’s Overdrive system and pressing a “request” button!

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