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Yuletide 2025: recent reflections, notes to others, and blessings

in #blog #resolute #love , 847 words

the ocean (Howe Sound) near a place called Furry Creek in BC at sunset with dramatic clouds and birds flying around

life moves faster than clouds but storms pass and give way to light

oh, and storms are cool! they are learning experiences

we can embrace the wind and let it invigorate our spirits

to feel fully alive

may we endeavor to show up authentically and be open to showing up for each other

run up the road to see the sights, hear the sounds, feel the feels, and embrace our short existence in time


life might be torrential at times; rough waters flooding our hearts with all sorts of feelings eroding our preconceptions and reshaping our lives we can be present and marvel at it all


playfulness and coziness are my two favorite things


the author taking a selfie in Waterfront station in Vancouver BC she's wearing a purple rain jacket, has fading purple hair that shows some blue, is wearing a backpack, glasses, and a 3M N95 mask

life is so short, don’t forget! be genuinely yourself, express love for the people you love, and bring care and warmth to the hearts of others


the author standing in front of Howe sound wearing her hat backwards making a cute tongue sticking out face

i hate feeling like im too much; too romantic, too passionate about everything im into

but i couldn’t be authentically myself without feeling things as deeply as i do

im sitting on bench overlooking the river and sobbing

i’ve always felt things deeply and my heart is full of love (all the kinds of love)

and at the same time im full of sorrow of what could have been

in Buddhist practice, the word Karuṇā is often translated to compassion and is one of the heart-practices (qualities we can develop by cultivating this feeling and radiating these qualities out to others): “im here and i care”.

my heart is naturally inclined to this.

may all beings everywhere be free from suffering and full of peace


mulled wine glass with fruit decoration

sillies upon me,

must gaze into their eyes with adoration and longing and a cute smirk forms on them and u giggle back at them and then they kiss u passionately


photo of a mural that says a day without lesbians is like a day without sunshine. there is a carabiner attached to a key behind that mural, there is another mural of famous jazz musicians there are yellow leaves on the ground

life is short and im gonna place my love and trust in community, growth, and love itself

may those of us on a path of practice continue to do the work

those not on a path of practice: it’s never too late!

we can bring empathy, care, silliness, sweetness, a fierce compassion, and romance into this life

it does require doing the work tho, and it’s not always easy

as messy as we are as humans; as broken as we are sometimes; we are not broken like the way i was taught as child:

we are not fundamentally evil

nor are we fundamentally deserving of damnation

nor are we broken beyond repair

we are due happiness, love, joy, peace, compassion, and equanimity

it’s our birthright

may u be happy and well

may we give thanks to the universe for it’s uncaring origin and the short time we get to coexist with the beautiful ppl around us

<3


skytrain in Vancouver BC at night shot from below

there is so much love and community available to us

to access true community means to be accepted as u are yes, and the community calls u in on behaviors that are not conducive to the community and the community expects folks to be on a path of practice or self-improvement

intentional communities need not be limited to religion or even specific places, but to people who are doing the work to make themselves and their community more at peace and happy and progressive

these things are attainable, if we’re willing

queer community especially needs to have a big tent approach while we wrestle our world out of fascist control and bring about a cosmopolitan ethic, a system of mutual aid and an ethos of found family

practically speaking this means taking the initiative and creating the communities u want by going to where the ppl are and saying

“hey, here is a Signal group chat of cool folks, let’s plan a day to all hang out”

then u do the thing and talk and bond and u do it again so that ppl have new opportunities to learn about each other

if we do this in ways that are generous and fun and kind, we will build the world we want to see — a candle in the dark — and when many candles in the dark come forth, they shine a beacon of hope into all the minds around them, once again reminding the beings that they are deserving of kindness, care, silliness and community


The Hollywood Theater in Portland, Oregon at night lit up with KILL BILL, THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR IN 70MM on the marquee

when they lean their face in to kiss u and it’s at first a really sweet soft kiss bc u love them and then it keeps going and gets more passionate until they’re making out with u and u feel dizzy and breathless and like u need them like u need water,,,

:neodog_bottom:


written to one of my people who i love very much:

my goals in life are to be a light and resource for ppl who come into my life, and regardless if we are in a serious relationship, platonic, or even acquaintances, i want u to know i have ur back

with much love,

Raven


wanting them to take me to the secret outdoor places they know and then tackling me to the ground, gaze into my eyes and then kiss me deeply :neodog_blush_hide: