Reminders of the Beauty of Medium

In gratitude for our inspiring DEP community

Soy la vida, soy la fuerza, soy mujer. ~ Julia de Burgos, Puerto Rican Poet & Freedom Fighter

Today is about celebrating the wonder of Dancing Elephants Press.

My original thought was to write an article about my experiences with the kind soul and founder of the publication. Then I realized ‘of course she merits it and more,’ so what if I bring in the entire community?

So this is in gratitude to everyone at DEP.

When My Sun Sets

when my time in this dimension is over shed not tears, instead smile and laugh knowing you’ve made an impact on those around you, in the world, on me

many of us have never exchanged words some of us may have not read each other’s work but that is of little consequence because just being here at DEP is enough

when my sun sets, my hope is only this: to be remembered as a being who loved life, someone who brought a smile & laughter to others a being who brought positive change to her communities, to her beloved Madre Borikén

when my sun sets, the seeds I have planted will grow to bountiful fruition for future generations to build a kinder world

Gracias

Sharing the gratitude vibes, the start of my day included these reads.

Lubna Yusuf’s reflections bring a reminder of allowing space to consider a different perspective — to “look at voids signs of something yet to come, making space for the future we want.”

This line jumped out at me: The usefulness of the cup, is its Emptiness.

Annelise Lords offers a vulnerable portrait of self-love in this piece about having “an addition to kindness.”

Whispering this verse, I felt a sense of renewed trust flowing within. I too am a giver and at times feel depleted by the selfishness of others.

You’ll know when it’s time to leave When others use your kindness to deceive Your Kind nature made you invaluable Aren’t they aware that a kind heart can be invincible

Garima Sharma shines the spotlight on the wealth of abundance each of us carries inside. With each line, I had a sense of empowerment.

YOU ARE YOU and your worth is indescribable. Allow the whirlpool of love to consume you. with constant reminders of your beauty, knowledge, and desirability and your inexhaustible strength.

I often say ‘thank you’ falls short — it doesn’t begin to express what my heart feels. My hope is that in reading this you will feel even just a little bit of the gratitude I have for this community.

Gracias ~ धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad) ~ Köszönöm ~ Merci ~ Teşekkürler ~ Grazie

Thank you bunches for being here, for your support, and for your shine. 💛

Special shout-outs:

Dr. Preeti Singh for taking the time to connect via a video WhatsApp call. Your positive vibe, smile, and energy are reminders of how beautiful this life is. ❤️

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles for all of the vibrant colors in your stories (both literally & figuratively), your straight-up sense of humor, and for donating those 300+ sarees. 💪🏽

Sharing Randomly for always giving kind words of support, and for reminding me to keep going during challenging times. Having you in my corner es un regalo hermoso! ✨

Dr. Gabriella Korosi for allowing me to dance with the elephants, to celebrate them and each of us, and for setting aside time to connect outside of Medium. For all of it — you’re an inspiration. 🐘

This reminder, for those who may need it (Julia de Burgos quote):

Soy la vida, soy la fuerza, soy mujer.

I am life, I am strength, I am woman.

In gratitude to the entire Dancing Elephants Press crew, especially for the fierce femmes here. 💚

I see you. I appreciate you. I celebrate you.

Pene Hodge, Anjali Joshi, Sally Prag, Doren Damico, Marilyn Glover, Carmen Micsa, Patricia Pixie❤, Bingz Huang, Natalie Gasper, Christina DeFeo, Victoria Gregg+ everyone else, please tag yourselves in the comments. 💪🏽