You Matter

Hello friends,

I had a conversation with writer and artist Laura Tempest Zakroff this week about the need to kindle hope and purpose in each other. We’re cooking up a year-long project together that I’m really excited about. Our planning and conjuring reminded me…

While out for one of my usual walks recently, I paused to read a paper plate resting against a rock. Colored sidewalk chalk spilled from glass jam jars in front of the message, encouraging people to write something on the sidewalk.

The paper plate read:

I love this. The plate and chalk are reminders that other people are out there in the world trying to encourage random passers by who might be having a hard day. There is encouragement everywhere if we pause long enough to notice it and take it in.

And all of us—every single person—does matter, even though the overculture tries to tell us that some of us do not. All of us—every single person—is enough. Right now. Even when we’re trying to learn and grown and do better with our lives.

You see, there is no contradiction. We can be enough and still be learning. We can be enough and still be growing. We can be enough and make amends. We can be enough and do better than before.

We all have purpose. How we show up matters. And somedays? That’s writing a word, an invocation, on a sidewalk with a piece of colored chalk.

What was my word? Love. That’s the lesson I’m always returning to, and the way I try to show up, even when I fail at the task.

There’s always the next moment. There’s always a chance to remember that we have purpose and that, as prison abolitionist Mariame Kaba reminds us:

Wishing you all the best. Thanks for showing up today.

love — Thorn

Did you know you can request my books from your local library or favorite bookseller? Folks in the US can now easily also buy print books and T-Shirts directly from me! Not in the US? Happy to arrange shipping if you message or email me.