Welcome to another installment of Linkpso, where I take a piece of content (article, essay, book, video… anything I can link to) and use it as a prompt for writing. I might be in conversation with the piece or use it as a springboard to go in a completely different direction. I also included a few more interesting links to inspire some Linkspo of your own.

Hello Friends,

A man I know likes to say, “Happy people are grateful people, and those that aren’t… aren’t.”

In the years since I got sober, I’ve picked up a few practices along the way, and one of them is a gratitude list. A lot of people roll their eyes at this “good vibes only” kind of thing, and I get it.

But two things can be true. You can fear the fate of our environment AND melt at the sound of a child’s laughter. You can bang your head against the wall of injustice AND appreciate a beautiful sunset. You can grieve the loss of your son AND experience joy again. One gives you the energy to take action on the other.

This is from my gratitude journal about a month after Aiden died. I’m glad I captured my thoughts from those early days, even the scary ones. It reminds me that I won’t always feel the way I feel right now.

December 2019

Today I am grateful for:

Earl Grey tea,

Muddy trails,

Foggy mornings,

A quiet car ride,

A husband's shoulders,

A sibling’s love,

And days I will never have to live again. 

In a deep hole surrounded by dark. I stay not because I don’t know how to get out but because I don’t want to. Chaos is comfortable when it is familiar. 

This time of year is stressful with holiday shopping and parties, school performances, and where will I hide the dang Elf on the Shelf??

I hope you’ll take this invitation to notice the little things that make you smile.

This is where I am today. Thank you for listening.

Emily

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If you liked this post, check out these from the archive:

“I walk down memory lane, cuz I like running into you.”

The biggest small words, THANK YOU

Linkspo

For those of you entering into the holiday season grieving, I appreciated this comforting and practical advice. (The Washington Post)

You know I love a good project

For those of us with “mother-shaped holes.”

“You won’t write a word for five years” … Watch me! (LitHub)

I have a new favorite podcast, Glamorous Trash. Start with Britney Spears!

Beautiful images from

If you only have time for one thing… Make it this story of “A neighborhood story about errands, perspective, and a good loaf of bread” from Anne Bogel at Modern Mrs. Darcy

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Where are you getting your inspiration this week? What have you read, seen, or listened to that changed your temperature in some way? Share with us in the comments below.