I heard an author this week describe the research process both as a deep dive for facts and also as a treasure hunt for historical characters, the ones who can animate a story and carry it forward.

A few minutes later he distinguished between characters and caricatures, noting that the goal is not to craft a simplistic narrative of good versus bad, but something much more interesting, more nuanced, more true to life.

Dear ones, these days, so many of our inputs tell simple and divisive tales. 

May we resist the caricatures.

May we explore the messy aliveness of our world.

I was lucky to attend several philanthropic events this past week, and one honoree noted that upon receiving a very prestigious award years ago, he was advised, “This is not a prize. This is a responsibility.”

I have to admit, though I admire the lack of back-slapping reflected in this quote, part of me was thinking, gosh, are we not already hyper-aware of our responsibilities these days? Must we skip straight from the prize to the responsibility, with no time for revelry?

Just a few days later I saw the incredible Mary Robinson receive a different award, and she danced right up to the podium, remarking that if you are going to work on serious things you have to dance and laugh a little at the outset, or you’ll never be able to tackle the tough work ahead.

Dear ones, may we win prizes galore, whether trophies or roses or smiles from loved ones.

May we take up our responsibilities with the devotion they deserve.

May we dance and laugh together, all along the way.

On my walk to work the other day I stepped on something squishy. This is never a great thing in the city, so my first thought was, “don’t look down, just keep walking.” But when I did glance to the ground, I saw half an apple rolling away.

And then another. And another.

Even then, I thought someone must have dropped their grocery bags. But it turns out I’ve been walking right past a big urban apple tree every morning, totally oblivious to its bounty. 

Dear ones, may we be alert –

to the squishes underfoot,

and the glories overhead.

Oh dear friends, it’s been a week of loss – first Jane Goodall, luminous ambassador for the Gombe and our kin the chimpanzees, and then Manchan Magan, illuminator of Irish land, language, and culture. Both worked in settings where the most precious elements had been exploited and endangered, and both knew the full costs of this mistreatment and misunderstanding. Yet both came out the other side of that pain, determined to share their deepest love and understanding, sure in the knowledge that a place that is loved is a place that will be valued.

Manchan’s final RTE interview noted that we’re in a time of great change, one of reconnection with land and story and language.

Jane’s final message encourages, don’t give up.

Dear ones, let’s root ourselves in our love of the world.

Let’s reconnect.

Let’s not give up.

One of my favorite recordings of Manchan is this podcast episode where he’s in conversation with the extraordinary Tyson Yunkaporta. Manchan’s book Thirty-Two Words for Field is a favorite, as is Tyson’s Sand Talk. 

Jane Goodall’s final message can be seen on her Institute’s site, and her book Reason for Hope is currently free in its e-version.

I was clearing out some items at the office the other day and opened up the Top Secret envelope that my niece made for me years and years ago, which hangs on my wall so it’s always in view. No matter how many times I’ve opened it, as I unfold the intricate cutout rainbow cake that declares me the best, it perks me right up.

Later in the week I was in New York, prepping for a talk late in the evening as the restaurant closed up around me. The waiter saw me working and on my way out shouted, “You got this! It’s gonna be great!” 

A tiny part of me thinks, I am the grownup, I am a professional. Of course I’ve got this. I don’t need encouragement from people 20 or 40 years my junior.

The larger, truer part of me thinks, thank you. I really needed that.

Dear ones, it can be an uphill sort of time out there.

Let’s cheer each other on.