Lindi Nolte

It was a disaster of a year. And still there was beauty. And still there was laughter. And still the human spirit proves that it can reach through the darkness to find some light at the end of a tunnel and pull itself towards it. I wish you all only this for the new year: to be able to gather and hug and laugh and cry and dance with the people you love. In the end it is always and only what matters.

We are the masters of this house and still we have not mastered how to speak softly to one another ... of our desires and our doubts to hold each other when the lanterns burnt out to honour the light in you the light in me and so too the light in all living thing. See more

It’s been a crazy week. The American election was intense and all consuming. The relief and joy of that outcome was immediately followed by an announcement that BC would be following stricter regulations due to COVID. Mostly, we are supposed to stay away from each other. I’m feeling the weight of isolation and my energy to stay positive is waning. But today... I made time for solitude and nature and I am always surprised how uplifted I feel afterwards. If you can’t see family or friends right now, I highly recommend you go see the trees. We live in such an incredible world full of so much beauty and life. Most of my writing is inspired by the forests. So lucky to be surrounded by trees more days than not.

I have been wishing all day Closing my eyes and whispering to the stars, incessantly all night and all yesterday ... I heard you wishing too for something worth wishing for and I thought if there is a genie in a bottle somewhere surely he must hear us chanting: change we wish for change surely he must know it’s time to grant it.

This year has been especially challenging for maintaining and developing relationships and friendships. COVID has distanced us physically and as a result, emotionally too. I can remember all of the hugs I’ve had in the past six months because they have been few, because they have been needed, because they’ve kept me together. I miss the small gentle touches from people I know. I miss breathing in the same air without worrying that the air from another persons body isn’t safe. I miss you, you weird and awesome humans and I am grateful for all the times you’ve kept me together by simply extending your hand.

The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book? @davidattenborough Last night, I watched his documentary A Life On Our Planet. I don’t think it’s ‘important’, I think it is absolutely necessary that we all watch it and reflect on the nature of the environmental crisis we are facing. With so much to worry about in the world, I know it can be overwhelming to feel like you need to care about eve...rything. I know we are fatigued and this year has been especially challenging, but as @davidattenborough pleads: ..it’s not about saving the world, but saving ourselves. This, as far as I can see, is the most pressing of all the problems we face. Nature will prevail, but we stand a real and harrowing chance of not surviving if we continue down this current path. Of course there are practical and very real ways in which we need to make changeinvest in renewable energy, raise the standard of living across the globe, move to plant-based diets, reforestation etc.). But the main takeaway for me was this: we need to reconnect with nature and re-establish our relationship with the land. We need to love our species as a species that is a part of nature, and when we do we will find the scales balance and once again we will harmonize with the rest of life on Earth. What’s more, if we focus our energy and attention on our relationship with the Earth, I have little doubt our relationships with one another and ourselves will strengthen automaticallynature has a way of bringing out the best in us. @davidattenborough thank you for your life long work and dedication to loving our home.

Look for the beauty. It’s there. Even when it’s dark. Even when it hurts. Even when it falls apart.

We need to consider the ways our domesticated lives keep us from connecting to nature and ultimately ourselves. As the seasons change and Vancouver gets darker, colder, and wetter I try to remind myself to get outside regardless of my desire to stay warm and comfortable. My couch, slippers, and a hot bath might be what I wantbut what I NEED is trees, fresh air, the sound of rivers, and the freedom that comes from being away from walls, ceilings, and screens. Only the boundlessness of an open environment, a wild and unruly space can give rise to the kind of creativity that heals the human spirit. I hope you go there sometimes.

I’ve been so inspired by the people who have chosen positivity and joy and love despite the onslaught of crazy things this year has brought our way. It hasn’t been easy to pursue poetry in the face of all the noise in the worldbut I believe choosing to live a creative life is a form of resistance. Whatever the world demands from youI hope you give yourself permission to choose living a life that brings you joy.