Author: Morgan Harper Nichols

Here in the waiting, this space that you are creating to breathe isn’t just space. It is room where you can begin to practice sowing seeds for all that you are desiring to grow. Where in your life can the seemingly empty space become soil? Where in your life can you say, “I will keep sowing seeds. I will not give up on what could be?” Take a deep breath and look around whenever you can. Be patient and kind to yourself as you begin to find ways of being present. Right here, know that the patience and care you invest now are the seeds that will bloom into something beautiful in time. Keep making space for gratitude. Keep making space for growth. For perhaps, even in the quiet moments of waiting, you are already cultivating what will one day bloom.

It is possible to see the value in recognition while also knowing that long before or long after receiving it, there is still more to you. You can recognize when and how it’s useful to receive input form others, while also knowing that opinions aren’t the end of the story. You can experience how validating and encouraging it is to reach a milestone in a way that others can experience as well, while also knowing that before and after those moments, and with or without the recognition, you are still allowed to be proud of your progress or growth. You are still allowed to be exhale, knowing: “there is more to this story.”

Oftentimes, it can seem as though you have to choose between being recognized in a big way or just quietly knowing that your efforts matters, when in reality, you can find meaning in both experiences. For those moments where you’re hearing “congratulations” or “I’m so proud of you,” you can take them in, and in the moments where it’s quieter and you’re not in the spotlight, you can still know that your efforts still matter

Remember that recognition is just one part of the journey, not the whole story. Whether or not there is an applause, your progress is real and meaningful. Through it all, you can still repeat to yourself: “It is possible to value recognition, while also knowing my value isn’t determined by others’ opinions. There is more to me.”

-Morgan Harper Nichols

Allow yourself to be fully engaged where you need to, and let go where you need to. You are not inadequate if you cannot be fully engaged with all things, at all times. Doing your best in the moment doesn’t mean you’re not fully committed. Instead, it is an opportunity to invest your efforts where they’re needed and release the rest.

Allow yourself to enjoy creating something while knowing that even before all of the details work out, you’re free to appreciate the progress you’ve made so far. You are allowed to find joy in the journey even before the outcome.

Give yourself permission to embrace rest and renewal when needed, while letting go of the expectation you must rest in a perfect way for it to be worthwhile.

Create room for flexibility and adaptation, even before you have it all sorted out.

Being fully engaged in this life right here where you are doesn’t mean being present perfectly, never being distracted or overwhelmed. Instead, it’s about recognizing amidst the distractions and overwhelm, you are free to adjust, refocus, and take pressure off again and again, however you need to. Like the rhythm of breathing, creating space for what’s next. Fully engage where you need to and let go of the rest. – Morgan Harper Nichols

“I started something exciting! And then, life happened…and I’m just now getting back to it years later, and I’m still proud of myself.”

–

May today be one of those days where you allow yourself to be proud of yourself even if it’s taking much longer than expected to get back to the things you set out to do. There have been detours, gaps, pauses, and even losses, and there has also been the subtle, yet steady reality that you’re still here. There are still pathways waiting to be traversed. So much has changed, and you have changed, too…you have learned so much that will continue to travel with you. – Morgan Harper Nichols

I hope you know it is okay if it takes time to breathe deep and say “there is more to come.” It’s okay if there are times where hopefully looking ahead is something you have to practice. It’s also okay to focus on one area at a time.

When it’s hard to think about what more is to come over the next year, try thinking about possibility exists for growth, peace, and joy in the weeks, days, or even the few hours to come. You can even get more specific:

What might joy look like in the early hours of the morning…when I have that little bit of extra time on a Saturday?

What could peace look like when it comes sharing peaceful moments with a few friends…and how can I cherish that, even if I’m not experiencing that everywhere, all at once?

What might growth look like when I’m not thinking about every single aspect of this project, but just the part of this project that is focused on learning something new?

Being specific in this way doesn’t mean you’re closing off to other experiences. It also doesn’t mean you’re settling for less. Instead, it is an opportunity to take the pressure off of yourself from needing to figure everything out at once. It’s a chance to explore the richness of what might be possible here, as you continue to move through this present moment, and toward the future, too. – Morgan Harper Nichols

Give yourself permission to find your own way of measuring the impact of the things you’ve been focusing on and giving energy to, instead of only relying on predefined expectations.

When you are working on things that matter to you but others might not recognize the value of this work, it can be disheartening, and can lead you to feel uncertain about what impact you might even have. However, instead of only relying on external validation, you are allowed to explore new ways to measure the impact of your efforts. You are free to explore how slow and steady growth is actually still significant, whether or not others notice.

Choose a question to ask yourself today:

“How can I find value in what I am doing right now…even if others don’t see it?”
“What kind of person could I talk to that might understand this feeling?”
“How has deciding to continue something changed my perspective?”
“How has taking a break helped me find the room to breathe that I needed?”
“What small ripple effects might I be able to share with others in the years to come?”

These questions invite you to explore different aspects of the impact you’re making. Even before you have answers for them, they are reminders that there is so much more to what you do than immediate results or external validation. In the busyness of life, it can be hard to pause and think about the long-term, so allow yourself to invite questions that open up new ways of appreciating the value of your efforts. Of course, a simple question may not change everything, but it’s something to help you shift your focus and find meaning in what you’re doing, in a simple way that you can build upon. Remember, you are allowed to explore what impact means to you and trust that this journey, with all its slow and steady growth, is valid and significant in its own way. – Morgan Harper Nichols

The effort you are putting in matters, even before it is noticeable.
The impact you are making over time is not in vain.
There is nothing wrong with desiring encouragement or validation for all you have been putting in, but just know that long before it comes, you are already making a difference in ways that may not be immediately recognizable.

-The attention you gave to details that might seem small..
-The care you took in organizing something for later use.
-The thoughtfulness you applied in making a decision.
-The way you listened to someone attentively.
-The way you consistently contribute to an ongoing process.
-The decision to keep going with something, even when the progress was slower than expected
-A moment when you took a small step to improve the situation.
-A simple action that contributed to a larger picture.

All of these are examples of how your efforts have significance, even if they aren’t immediately acknowledged or noticeable. They are small moments that can shape meaningful results over time. This doesn’t mean that every small action will lead to instant success. Instead, it’s a reminder that consistent efforts and steady contributions can create meaningful impact over time. Your presence and dedication matters right here, for this is the space where small details and ongoing contributions matter so much more than what’s on the surface. Keep being present right here, one day at a time. It matters more than you know.

-Morgan Harper Nichols

You are free to explore your creativity, even before your ideas are understood by others, or even by yourself. Let the practice of engaging with your creativity be a way to breathe and let go of limitations. Start by asking yourself questions like “What if I tried this?” or “How might this evolve?”

Engage with creativity to go beyond others’ perceptions and your own. You can engage with meaningful change even before you feel like you have the answers:

Consider these questions to spark your creativity:

“What if I tried this?”
“How might this evolve?”
“How can I change my usual approach?”
“How does this relate to something I’m passionate about?”
“What if I reversed my approach?”

Choose one question to focus on today, challenging assumptions and expanding how you think about a particular thing. Even if you don’t have an answer for the question right away, the time you spend reflecting on it as a part of the creative process too. Even here, there is room to be on a journey of continuous discovery where you can find meaningful and creative courage in unexpected and everyday spaces. And to find new ways to ask “what if” is to explore the depths of your creative courage. – Morgan Harper Nichols

The roots of the tree are strong, but to us, above the ground, they are also quiet. Their vast network remains hidden beneath the surface, extending far beyond what we can perceive or imagine.

On a daily basis, we are usually not able to grasp the full extent of their connectedness from above the ground. However, that doesn’t mean the connections aren’t there, silently supporting the tree’s growth.

Remember this when it comes to the deep connections you have in your life, or the ones you seek to form.

– The enduring nature of the close relationship you have with the friend that lives far away

– The potential of the kind of relationships you’d like to have but haven’t fully formed yet

– The hidden strength of the support system you’ve built over the years

– The subtle influence of the mentors who’ve made a difference from afar

– The underlying current of shared experiences with those who’ve shared similar paths with you

– The silent growth of understanding within your connections with others that comes with each passing year

– The slow unfolding of the bonds that develop gradually over time

Like intertwined roots, these connections can grow and strengthen even when they aren’t immediately noticeable. Supportive networks are still possible, all around. You may not always be aware of them, but they are there, providing strength and stability beneath the surface. Allow yourself to have gratitude for supportive networks, even when they are subtle, even when there’s physical distance, and even when they’re still taking shape. Like deep roots, it’s not too late to nurture and appreciate sustaining connections all around you. – Morgan Harper Nichols

When you look back, I hope you can see all of the little moments where you could’ve given up, but you didn’t. I hope you can see those moments where you chose to breathe deep and continue the journey, uncovering hidden layers of courage you didn’t even know you had. You found room to slow down and just be, even before it all made sense. You allowed yourself to explore the possibility of what could be, even before you received approval from everyone. You made space to support others and welcome support, even when you weren’t sure what the outcome would be.

Let this be a moment where you look back and realize that learning to be present in the way you know how is a sign of energizing courage that is shining brightly throughout your life in ways you’ve yet to realize.

Keep creating space in your life to discover the hidden layers of courage, moment by moment. It just might be more prevalent than you realize. There is a courage you never even knew you had stirring inside of you right now. A courage that will make room for you to carry on this journey at a mindful pace with hope and intentionality. – Morgan Harper Nichols

When it comes to things you are working toward, may you keep learning to appreciate the journey even before there is a highlight reel. Even before you are able to experience it all come together, may you know that the time you are spending right here, finding joy and welcoming courage, however you can, matters more than you may realize. Keep capturing the small things that are meaningful right here, even before it all comes together.

When it comes to the parts of a project that you just enjoyed researching, even if you don’t know how it all ties together, the efforts you’ve been giving are valuable in themselves. May you relish these moments of discovery, allowing curiosity to come alive in ways that will matter in the future, too.

When it comes to the moments where you find something small that you’re very grateful for, even if it seems insignificant in the grand scheme of things, may you recognize how these little joys accumulate to create a richer, more fulfilling journey. Let gratitude be a companion, coloring your experiences with warmth and appreciation.

When it comes to the milestones you meet, even if they’re not the ones you initially set out to achieve, may you celebrate these unexpected victories, recognizing that growth often takes directions you might not have anticipated, but it can still be beautiful.

Long before the highlight reel, let yourself embrace these moments as much as you can. – Morgan Harper Nichols

Let this be a moment in your life where you create space to focus on what matters most. As if you were moving through a vast landscape with a magnifying glass with you, allow yourself time to explore and adapt, and look closer where you need to. And when you find yourself overwhelmed by distractions or unexpected change, remember that your focus can grow at its own pace. You have not wasted time when your focus has changed. As long as you’re still breathing, there is room to find new ways through this landscape.

In the areas of life where you are faced with something new that requires a lot of courage, this might look like giving yourself time to zoom in, assess, and acclimate. Perhaps, where you once thought you only had to focus on being endlessly strong or unyielding, you can give yourself permission to say “A larger picture is still forming here.” In the same way you would imagine a scene unfolding, you are free to move through this space allowing details to emerge and evolve naturally. Acting on courage here doesn’t mean you have to pressure yourself to figure it all out at once. Continue to breathe deep in this space as much as you can, knowing you will learn as you go. Zoom in where you need to zoom in, and let go where you need to let go. Shift your focus where you need to. – Morgan Harper Nichols

Being present while planning for the future is like tending a garden: you care for the plants that are growing now, but you also plant seeds for the next season. You are free to embrace what’s right here while also planting seeds for tomorrow. You can tend to today’s growth while nurturing tomorrow’s potential.

It is possible to be engaged where you are, while looking ahead, too. Both looking ahead and being right here hold value. You are allowed to move through being present to the moment and making plans––there’s room for both, and it’s okay if this looks different in different areas or stages of life.

Let this be a moment in your life where you decide to clarify and define what it means to be fully engaged in the present moment, at this point in your life. Start to explore what’s meaningful right here, without pressuring yourself to figure out what it’s all tied to. Because as you learn to practice gratitude right here, this is a way you’re learning to connect more deeply in a way that prepares you for what’s to come.

Consider the different aspects of your life where you have found yourself trying to be present while also thinking about the future. Ask yourself this question: “What small things am I doing right now that may contribute something more beyond what is easily noticeable?” Let this question be your first step in exploring the value of both being present and looking ahead. Reflect on how, even in the moments where you are just moving through the day, this is still a space where you can practice gratitude for all that you are learning and gathering here, and it’s okay to think about how that can continue to grow in the future, too.

You’re allowed to define what presence looks like for this stage of life.

Being present doesn’t have to mean stopping everything to “be in the moment.” It can mean staying engaged with what matters to you right now, even if that includes thinking ahead. – Morgan Harper Nichols

inhale,

exhale,

and remember:

you’ve been learning to move through it all,

moment by moment, breath by breath.

as a river moves through the a vast landscape,

you are learning to move through this space, too.

When you start to feel the pressure of waiting to see if things come together, take a deep breath wherever you can.

If you’re wondering if there will be enough time to do all the things you need to do, or you’re feeling the weight of societal expectations or the need to meet milestones in a specific order, pause for a moment.

When you reflect, you are not wasting time. Instead, you are creating room for a more natural flow, even in small ways.

Like a river running through the forest, embrace each curve and bend as you flow. There are places where you will rush and places where you will pool, each rhythm part of your unique story. Through all of the changes, transitions, twists and turns, you are allowed to take time to discover what it means to move with the flow right here.

Wherever you feel pressure, remember that pausing to breathe, reflect, or seek support isn’t losing focus or wasting time. Welcome compassion by thinking of this moment like a river that unfolds in many ways, yet is still filled with life. For like a river’s winding course, progress takes many forms – sometimes easily noticeable above the surface, sometimes hidden. Yet the path still grows, and the water still flows.

Think about what’s been nonlinear in your life. Consider the things that haven’t followed an easy step-by-step. Reflect on how, because the winding path often requires so much attention, that is all the more reason to identify where and when you can welcome compassion into the journey. Allow these moments of gentleness to nourish and sustain you along the way.

When you start to feel the pressure of waiting to see if things come together, take a deep breath and remember that even amidst all that is nonlinear that doesn’t mean that nothing is happening. Remember the way the river meanders and how it still progresses and finds new paths. Consider how, through it all, beautiful movement is still possible. – Morgan Harper Nichols

Let this be the August you always remember. The August you chose to trust: somehow, after everything, new blank pages were still waiting. And not the kind of blank pages you pressure yourself to fill with perfection, but instead: presence. Presence: an act of being here, right now, with what you have, honestly, with grace-lined intention.

Let this be the August where you recognize the mountains and valleys for what they are and you also allow yourself to recognize the space in between: wide, storied landscapes that allow you spend time considering what this next chapter could be.

– Morgan Harper Nichols

Remember how far you have come while also recognizing that you are still becoming. And you are allowed to take the time you need to uncover the small ways you have been making progress right here. And as you do this, remember that you might be further along than you think.

Consider the times when you were able to focus on something, even if you didn’t feel like you were able to hold your focus as long as you wanted to, it’s still a sign that you’re honing your ability to concentrate, to stay present in the moment.

Reflect on the moments when you did something brave, even if you felt like you should’ve been able to do more. That’s progress too. It’s a testament to your courage, to your willingness to face what is unknown and this is something that can continue to grow.

Think about the times when you were able to express your feelings, even if it was difficult or uncomfortable. That’s progress. It shows you’re growing emotional intelligence and your commitment to authenticity.

Remember the instances when you chose to rest, even if there was more work to be done. This, too, is progress. It’s a sign of your understanding of the importance of balance and taking care of yourself, even amidst all of the responsibilities.

Recall the moments when you asked for help, even if you felt like you should’ve been able to do it on your own. That’s progress. It’s a testament to your humility and your recognition of the value of community.

These small things may not seem like much on their own, but together, they add up. They’re the building blocks of your growth, the stepping stones on your journey. And when you take the time to acknowledge them, to celebrate them, you’ll realize that you’re further along than you think.

To create is to exhale. To create is to practice being attentive to what’s right here. To gather the questions, curiosities, and half-finished ideas,

and create:

Conversation.

A shared space.

A few words on a page.

Art.

Creativity is not about making a product. Of course, it can become that, but before it does, to create is to join, to bring things together and make something new.

Just by being alive each day, you are taking in all day. You are receiving constant input; you are processing, inhaling. From things you read to conversations you have and everything in between, the experience of taking it all in can feel endless. Even if you have good intentions of sorting through it all, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Because of this, allowing yourself to have space where you can let those things just be is worth cultivating. Even if it’s just a messy journal entry in the journal you haven’t been “keeping up” with every day. Even if it’s just one conversation with someone that doesn’t lead to some grand revelation, but you know that you attempted to create a space to be present.

Allow yourself to cultivate and make space for the ways creativity can come alive right here. Let it be the kind of creativity that doesn’t wait for perfection or a reason to produce a polished, finished product. Let it be the kind of creativity that welcomes a practice of attentiveness, right here where you are. And let gratitude arise from having been present to this process, knowing that it matters to create space to exhale in this way, however and wherever you can. – Morgan Harper Nichols

It’s okay. It’s okay to not have all of the details figured out at this very moment. Because for all that is still unknown, may you also know this is true: you have learned so much from all of the mountains you’ve already traveled through.

And as you continue to carry on toward August, and all that follows, you are free to carry those lessons with you. Yes, you will face new unknowns and you will encounter mountains you’ve never climbed before, but you will remember all the ways you’ve been learning to breathe, as the wind gently brushed your skin. You will begin to remember all the courage that has been building up within you, over and again.

It’s not that the journey has been easy or perfect or that you suddenly have all the answers, but instead, this journey has been a winding path through an expansive landscape called life…and even though so many things seem unknown, this is still the place in which you’ve learned and grown.

You may not feel prepared everywhere all at once, and please know: it’s okay. You are still free to explore where in your life you can say: “I am more prepared than I think. I have learned and grown so much from this and I will carry that wisdom and courage with me even before the future makes sense.” The ways you’ve already grown can help prepare you for future unknowns.

You have learned so much from all of the mountains you’ve already traveled through. You are free to carry those lessons with you as you continue toward August and beyond. – Morgan Harper Nichols

You are free to create space to explore what flourishing might look like in a more open-ended way. In those moments where you feel overwhelmed by external expectations, taking time to ask “what does it mean to flourish right here,” is giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace.

One of the misconceptions that might arise from a word like “flourishing” is that it may imply a state of perpetual happiness or visible achievements.However, flourishing doesn’t only have to mean constant, dramatic progress. Instead, like a plant growing steadily, it unfolds gradually over time. From the roots that are hidden beneath the surface, to the quiet, quiet unfurling of new leaves that is often barely noticed, to flourish is to engage in a full life in a million little ways, one day at a time.

Take a moment to reflect: How do you typically think about flourishing in your own life? Have you ever felt pressure to achieve constant happiness or visible successes? When were you able to allow yourself space for gradual growth?

In those moments where you feel the pressure to perform or meet certain external expectations, may you know that doesn’t that nothing is happening here. There are many ways to consider how you might be flourishing in this very space, right here where you are.

For some, flourishing in this season of life might look like expanding horizons
For others, it could be more subtle, deepening existing connections.
One person might consider flourishing might look like being courageous amidst a big change, while another, gentle refinement.
What it means to flourish can be very different for each person. It can also change as you go through different parts of your life.

When it comes to flourishing, you are allowed to embrace exploration over a rigid, old definition. The concept of flourishing can be about creating space to explore it in an open-ended way. Flourishing doesn’t have to mean constant dramatic progress. It can include hidden, quiet developments like the roots of a plant or the unfurling of new leaves. Let flourishing happen one day at a time. – Morgan Harper Nichols

Here’s to slow and steady growth that matters even before you notice it.
Here’s to being gentle with your heart even when things don’t go according to plan.
Here’s to being gentle with your heart as you prepare to make new plans.

Even if you find yourself thinking back on everything that you should have done differently and how you “should have known,” consider that it doesn’t mean that you are not ever going to make progress in meaningful ways. At times, the things that set us back can cause us to look back on everything that happened as the final blueprint for how the future will be. But perhaps, even when we say “goodbye,” and even when we’re grieving very real things, there is grace and space to gradually find ways toward new new experiences, and new beginnings. When things don’t go according to plan, it might not be easy to see it that way in real time, and that’s alright. In that space, you are free to be kind to yourself in those moments where you find yourself reflecting.

When you find yourself looking back, allow yourself to pace yourself through what you’re feeling. Allow yourself to exhale wherever you can. Take time to rest and remind yourself that it is okay if it takes time to notice how you’re gathering wisdom from these experiences. The time will come. The time will come when you are able to look back and exhale. Not because you’re looking back and everything has been figured out perfectly, but because you’re looking back and realizing that when things didn’t go according to plan, you still learned to practice peace, even before you were able to make sense of things. Through everything, you were able to keep growing as you were meant to.

Growth doesn’t always happen in leaps and bounds; sometimes, it’s a slow, steady process that happens so gradually that you might not even notice it at first. But every step you take, no matter how small, is progress that matters. Be gentle with yourself on this journey. Pace yourself and discover: out here on the journey, there is room to learn, heal, and grow. – Morgan Harper Nichols