It has taken me a long time to figure out the set-up for Substack. Things probably still look amateurish - but if I wait much longer, my window for starting this major project will have dwindled into the ages.
As I said in my first post (back in November??), I’m trying to find a way to be still meaningful in today’s ever-crazy world. The idea came to me over 2 years ago, as I struggled with the immediate aftermath of my husband’s death. And then came the 75th birthday, which energized me to make these coming 10 years MY decade of bringing about change, no matter how small.
I use my own photography to make statements. This photo of Lake Champlain in its glorious autumn colors reminds us that we are facing an ending, even if a beautiful one. But we know that after the literal dark days of winter, we see the new beginning.
Except…
…right now we’re not sure about that. The future of 2024 is murky at best.
So what are we to do?
I introduce to you “Project Agapé .”
It may seem pretty simplistic, but I truly believe that if we try every day to do one kind action, say one kind word, smile at just one person, we set in motion our own butterfly wings and the Butterfly Effect.
My Traveler 75 posts will aim at those of us who are growing older, with wisdom and experience to share. We are Crones (in the best sense of the word) who plan sincere, systemic, and significant actions on a daily basis, where we practice Agapé — loving kindness and compassion in everything we do — to make our world better, one small action at a time. When we live in our world each day, it can be difficult to know what you do can make a difference. With Project Agapé each day you will find a suggestion for something concrete you can do, either through Facebook, Twitter, or right here. Just because you might be younger than Crones, it doesn’t mean you can’t join in. You have a unique perspective living and working in this crazy world right now.
Agapé became my word for the year six years ago, and I am still learning what it means to actively practice kindness and compassion on a daily basis. While I fall into despair (and the accompanying anger) at the state of just about everything around us, the small acts of compassion and loving kindness help me feel better in the moment.
Day 1 starts tomorrow…what is a Crone?
More on the meaning behind the driftwood picture tomorrow.
Thoughts? Let’s make our actions a true conversation.