When Things Feel Heavy (and Hopeful at the Same Time)

The past two weeks have been hard. The news, the uncertainty, what's happening in the world - it's a lot. I feel disappointed and anxious. And I know I'm not the only one feeling this way.

If you're feeling all the strong, disturbing emotions too, I get it. Just know that you’re NOT overreacting. It's normal to feel unsettled when things feel out of control.

Here's what I keep reminding myself (and perhaps may help you too):

We can't control what happens at the big, macro level - the global stuff, the political things, the events that feel too far away. But we can control what we do in our own communities.

And honestly, the past few weeks have already proved that to me.

The efforts leading up to Saturday's fundraising event - people reaching out, offering to help, showing up in small and big ways - reminded me what's possible when we focus on what we can actually do.

The result? We raised close to $16,000 for Marymount Centre. But it was more than the money. Familiar faces showed up. New people came. Friends, clients, people from my community - everyone choosing to be there for each other.

We made real connections. New friendships started. People actually talked to each other, cared about each other. And we want to do more.

It reminded me: even when the world feels chaotic, we can still create good things in our own corner of it.

So here's what I'm doing this week:

When things feel overwhelming, I'm focusing on what's in front of me. My family. My community. The people I can actually help. The difference I can make right here.

I'm inviting you to do the same.

We can't fix everything. But we can show up for the people around us. We can do good where we are. We can choose to create hope instead of just feeling helpless.

It matters.♥️

With gratitude, 

~Elynn

💕P.S. To everyone who came on Saturday, helped organize, donated, or sent support - thank you. You showed me that we can still make good things happen when we come together. That $16,000 will change lives. That means everything.