Hi, Hey, Hello!
Goodness, I’m so happy to see you on this chilly day! How the heck are you?!
What can I get started for you? I’m brewing up some black tea with milk and honey (obviously) but also have coffee or any herbal tea your heart could desire.
I am so glad we can share a spot of time together. The truth is, I’d like to check in on how you’re doing… how you’re really doing.
The world has been hard to witness for a long time now, hasn’t it?
I know you know what I mean, I won’t list the horrors and atrocities, but I want to acknowledge that it all is a lot…
And I want to say out loud that it’s OK to not be OK with whatever is on your mind and weighing on your heart right now…
And I want to give you permission to feel whatever you need to feel…
To cry or rage at the moon or take an extra long shower or bath…
To scribble in your journal or sign petitions or show up in protest.
I want to acknowledge that our modern world is complicated and brutal and surprising and jagged…
And I want to remind you that no matter how bad it all seems, there is a balance to all things.
I want to remind you that you don’t have to absorb it all…
And that for every horror, there is hope.
I want to encourage you to do whatever you need to do to get up in the morning and do what needs to be done for you so that you can get through the day and do the most good you are capable of doing.
I want to remind you that you are beautiful and loved and whole and worthy of joy.
I want you to find one good thing in your world today to balance out each bad that crosses your path:
- a chocolate bar
- a hot cuppa
- a bird’s call
- a good book
- your favorite song
- a pretty cloud
- a bubble bath
- the changing leaves
- the company of a friend
- a long walk
The world is hard to witness right now and I truly believe that we are not built to absorb so many inputs in rapid fire motion so I’m giving you (and me) permission to take a step back and practice some solid self care in whatever way works best for you in this moment, no matter how small that action might be.
You cannot pour from an empty cup.
You are not alone.
We will get through this together.
Ready for a refill?

Go gently, Friend. Keep your head up.
I’m right here with you and am so so so grateful to know you and share this journey with you.
There is still so.much.goodness in the world to help balance out the rest. Let’s tip it together.
Onward,
Melissa
P.S.
Thank you, Natalie, for offering up the virtual space to share space and time together each weekend.
Discover more from Under the Elderberry Tree
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.


Everyone and everything feels so particularly tender right now. Thank you for this warm and cozy and caring post. We need healing spaces in this moment.
Hi Jessica! The more safe, healing spaces we can create, the better. Wishing you a lovely, calm weekend.
This was absolutely perfect, Melissa.. Thank you.
You’re very welcome, Kathleen. Thank you for visiting.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you, Meezan. And thank YOU <3
A lovely, warm post.
Thank you 🙂 Hope your weekend has been wonderful!
Lovely talk with tea, thank you! My bright spots today were my weekly Black Lives Matter vigil and watching a soccer game played by seven-year-old girls.
Hi Joy! Those two activities sound like the perfect way to enjoy a day! Hope your weekend rounds out wonderfully!
Thank you for this amazing post, Melissa. These were words I needed to hear this morning. Sending you a virtual hug. Now, the next good thing crossing my path this morning is a coffee walnut muffin after my cup of coffee. Happy Sunday.
You’re very welcome! Your coffee walnut muffin sounds AMAZING! I trust you enjoyed every bite!
It is truly important to focus on and remember all the good things. Thanks for the reminder!
You’re very welcome, Maria. Thank you for sharing time and space with me here.
Melissa, your words resonate: The world has been hard to witness for a long time now, hasn’t it?
Yep, the lunatics are now running the asylum and I retreat into my bubble and absorb the simple beauty of nature.
” want you to find one good thing in your world today to balance out each bad that crosses your path:”
I have started painting again.
It’s all just such a mess. But painting? Painting is such a marvelous way to spend some time in creation! I trust you are enjoying every moment, every stroke <3
Thank you for sharing.. a good reminder, gotta try to stay sane in this nuts-o world.
One step at a time <3
A lovely and gentle post, Melissa. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Thank you, Natalie <3
Modern living is complicated. I am grateful that it’s easy to connect with people even though we live so many miles away. I’ve met a lot of great people because our ability to connect so easily. But at the same time, with that connectivity we are ultra-informed about what’s going gone. With all this information overload, we don’t take a deep breath to discern between truth, theatrics, and just lies and outrage.
There are just so many layers at play. I am grateful to live in such a time of abundant information, but I’m not sure our hearts and minds are ready for such onslaughts all.the.time. Looking for balance in the chaos. Thank you for being here, Julie. Hope the weekend ahead is a good one for you!
A beautiful post and I love the last photo!!!
Thank you, Kirstin!