Morgan Harper Nichols' Blog

Author: Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Inviting More Depth

    Inviting More Depth

    There are so many small moments that contain more depth than you may initially realize:

    -For one person, that brief compliment was just small talk. But for the other person, it may have been the validation they needed.
    -For one person, that one conversation was just a conversation. But for the other person, it may have been the one moment in the day they felt less alone
    -For one person, that shared playlist was just a mix of songs. But for the other person, it was something that helped them finally find something that helped them find language for what they were feeling.
    -For one person, it was just showing kindness to someone. But for the other person, it reminded them to feel a bit more present to the moment.

    There are times in life when we might be experiencing something on a surface level, and it doesn’t feel like there’s much more than how we initially experienced it. However, as we engage and share experiences with others, those connections create opportunities to see so many small moments that might have more depth than we realize.

    Recognizing that there may be more depth than what was initially observed doesn’t mean you have to be an expert on every detail of every interaction that has ever taken place. Instead, simply giving yourself permission to engage in this kind of thinking is a way to encourage the cultivation of a curiosity, right where you are, even in seemingly mundane ordinary moments. Thinking about what hidden

    May you encounter everyday interactions that hold unexpected significance.
    May you continue to consider that there is more depth in unexpected places.
    May curiosity foster meaningful connections.

    -Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Resting to Return Rejuvenated and Ready

    Resting to Return Rejuvenated and Ready

    We all need rest for different reasons, and these needs can change day by day. Sometimes, rest is just because we need it, without any particular reason. Other times, we need rest to prepare ourselves to return to something important, where rejuvenation and readiness are required. This type of rest can be challenging to make space for because the task we need to return to might linger in the back of our minds, making it hard to fully relax.

    In these moments, focus on making room for rest however you can. And even if you didn’t end up resting exactly how you wanted to, you can still view this as a moment where you are practicing being kind to yourself in this way:

    -Even if you set out to take a nap but end up just sitting quietly, consider that this still makes room for rest in a meaningful way.
    -If your attempt to rest is interrupted, you are allowed to acknowledge that that was frustrating, and try to return to rest later when possible.
    -If you planned to rest by doing something relaxing but ended up doing something else, don’t be hard on yourself for not resting “properly.”

    These moments of making room for rest, even if imperfect, are valuable. They help create rhythms and spaces for rest, which you can return to again and again. When you need rest to feel rejuvenated and ready to return to what you need to d, you will appreciate having allowed yourself to create this space. It may not have been perfect or ideal, but it was a process you engaged in—a way of being present and gentle with yourself that matters. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • From Noticing into Making

    From Noticing into Making

    For the one seeking to bring forth something meaningful, right here:

    Now is the time to embrace your creativity. And do so knowing this:

    You do not have to create something original in order to create something meaningful. You do not have to reinvent the wheel every time you approach the canvas, the camera, or the page. Your ideas don’t have to come from a blank slate. They can come from taking a look at your current landscape.

    Some of the most meaningful art we have is from people who found beauty and depth in the most ordinary places. They took note of small, ordinary things in their daily life or spoke to common emotions that many different people were feeling.

    You do not have to be an artist to create depth meaningful experiences, right here. Paying attention to these subtle things is a way of making the most of what you have. Keep discovering new ways to be present right here.

    Here are some questions to get you started as you make space for what’s meaningful, right here:

    Choose 1 of these 5 questions for the day:

    1 – What are small things you’re grateful for that are hard to put into words? Could you take a picture of them or a video instead?
    2 – What’s a sound that brings you comfort, but you’ve never really thought about why?
    3 – What’s a subtle change in your environment that signals the passage of time to you?
    4 – What’s a mundane object that holds an importance to you that others might not understand?
    5 – What’s a small gesture someone makes that speaks volumes to you?

    These questions spark creativity not only because they help you notice what is meaningful, but they help you make something meaningful with what you have. Let observation be a part of how you practice gratitude, creativity, and connection. Slow down and pay attention wherever you can, and bring forth creativity to make something meaningful, right here. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Creating a rhythm is about having something you can return to

    Creating a rhythm is about having something you can return to

    A rhythm is a pattern that repeats itself at regular intervals. Rhythms in life are like the ebbs and flows of the ocean, constantly changing yet always coming back around as part of a cycle. While the idea of rhythms can be metaphorical, it can also be very practical. Just by noticing what you need at certain times of the day, you can start to build your awareness of your own rhythms.

    Consider the rhythm of the day, moving from day to night. Ask yourself, “What do I need in the morning?” For some, you may need a quiet moment in stillness, while others might need more energy and movement. For one person, the rising of the sun may signal a new beginning, while for another, the night sky brings calmness and reflection. Just by paying attention to the difference between day and night, and what you need at each time of day, you can build reminders into your daily life to take care of yourself.

    Ask yourself often:

    “What do I need in the morning?”
    “What do I need in the middle of the day?”
    “What do I need as the sun fades from the sky?”

    Even if you are unsure of the answers to these questions, taking a moment to reflect and check in with yourself is a start. The difference between these questions and asking “What do I need?” is that it takes the pressure off finding one concrete answer for every moment, right away. This can take time, and expanding the question allows you to create space for that, especially considering that your needs and rhythms may change from day to day, and throughout the day. By simply acknowledging and being aware of these shifts, you can make small changes that have an impact. You can start to become more aware of how you respond to the ebb and flow of your daily life and, in turn, make adjustments wherever needed, as you face each day.

    Allow yourself to pay attention to the most simple daily rhythms, such as the rising and setting of the sun, and let those become reminders of how you can make small changes. In doing this, you can pave the way for others to do the same. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • What It Feels Like to Remember

    What It Feels Like to Remember

    When you encounter joy again, let it in. Let it in knowing that this does not mean you are ignoring the realities of all that remains unresolved right now. Instead, it means you are allowing yourself to remember what it feels like to enter into the kind of experiences that don’t have to explain themselves, amidst it all. Even when it is as subtle as a slowly rising sun, and the warmth on your skin is ever-so-gentle, may you know it still matters:

    The laughter that reminds you: you are worthy of release.

    The music that reminds you: you are free to feel the full range of your emotions.

    The random story you share with someone you care about that reminds you: you are allowed to seek out moments where you feel seen.

    When you experience moments like this, you do not have to write it off as “nothing.” These small moments may not be everything, but they still matter. These moments are still flickers of sunlight finding you again and again. Let any little bit of joy help you remember, recall, and continue to build upon what is good, restorative, freeing. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Smallness does not equal insignificance.

    Smallness does not equal insignificance.

    Smallness does not equal insignificance. The little things you do matter, too.

    And the small ways you are learning to be present here matter more than you know.

    And, even by taking a single breath in this space, you are making progress.

    Even the way you are learning to move through each day
    is worth acknowledging.

    Being present in this space takes courage.

    Be kind to yourself here.

    Be gentle with yourself as you move through this space.

    Yes, there are mountains ahead, and there are mountains behind, and mountains you have won to come so far, all grace and grace has been given to you.

    The goals you have yet to reach don’t take away from progress already made.

    And however you can,
    pace yourself…
    for needing to pause
    and slow down
    doesn’t take away
    from your growth.

    Allow the echoes of your own forward movement and the beat of your own heart become reminders of how you’ve been learning to make progress at a mindful pace.

    -Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Wholeheartedly, Unapologetically You

    Wholeheartedly, Unapologetically You

    May there be at least one area of your life
    where you feel free to say:
    “I may not have all of the answers,
    but I am slowly, but surely
    beginning to embrace the idea
    that a new page is turning.
    Things will be different here…
    and I am free to welcome that,
    wholeheartedly
    and unapologetically.
    I have learned from where I’ve been,
    and I am also curious,
    and perhaps, even at times excited
    about who I can be.
    Not because I have to always be focused
    on striving to improve
    but because I am recognizing,
    that after everything I’ve been through,
    I’m still free to sing:
    ‘even here, there is more to you.’”

    – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Seeking out spaces where you don’t feel like you have to be “on”

    Seeking out spaces where you don’t feel like you have to be “on”

    Amidst all of the roles and responsibilities, may there be room for you to pursue a space where you do not feel obligated to perform. As you move through each day, considering all of the many things that are asked of you, that is all the more reason to remember: you are free to seek out places where you do not feel like you have to be “on” all the time. Even if it starts small, allow yourself to seek out that space to just be. Whether you need to stretch, not smile, close your eyes, or turn on the music––let this be something you pursue and something you build upon. Let these small practices become something you expand upon in other areas of your life. Create space by asking questions like this:

    What kind of music or sounds help me unwind and feel more at ease?
    How can I communicate my need for personal space and downtime to those around me?
    What small things give me a sense of renewal?

    If nothing else, allowing yourself to sit with one of these questions for the day is a way that you are beginning to create space, beyond the obligations and the need to be “on.” Start small and keep seeking space to just be, right here. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • When courage is a tide that rises slowly

    When courage is a tide that rises slowly

    What if I fail?”
    “I don’t think I have what it takes.”
    “I shouldn’t even bother trying.”

    On the surface, it may seem as though these thoughts can only signal the end of a journey. However, like a tide that rises slowly, courage grows incrementally. Even amidst the questions that arise, water rises, too. And those doubts that seemed as though they would only hold you back are just one part of a larger momentum.

    When it’s hard to believe, remember all of the times you’ve been courageous in a way you didn’t even realize you could be:

    -When you asked for help and admitted you needed support, even though at first you feared appearing too needy.
    -When you share an idea in a not-so-familiar way, even though at times you’ve doubted if you’re worthy of the attention.
    -When you tried something new and showed quiet bravery, even though at first you doubted if you were capable.

    All of these examples include an “even though:” an acknowledgment of the doubts you engaged to act courageously.
    Like waves, courage can build over time.

    So when you remember those questions that arose in the moments where you wanted to be courageous, remember all of your “even though” moments, where you rose slowly but surely…where you were courageous, anyway. Breathe deep and remember this as you as you let your courage rise today.

    -Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Welcome gentleness however you can

    Welcome gentleness however you can

    With gentleness, there is room for both strength and care. There is room for looking ahead while also embracing a slow and steady path. Like a garden’s ecosystem that is able to be sustained through gentle interactions over time, you, too, can nurture steady growth over time.

    You don’t have to force everything into neat rows; instead, you could allow aspects of your life to grow in harmony with the surroundings.

    Rather than focusing solely on rapid progress, you can cultivate a range of experiences that all bloom in their own time. Instead of striving for perfection, you could let your journey unfold organically and beautifully.

    While there will be areas in life where urgency is necessary, there may also be areas where a slower, gentle approach could be welcomed. Welcome this kind of gentleness however you can. Consider these journaling prompts to help you get started:

    –

    -Regular Prompt: What future achievements do you strive for?
    -Gentle Alternative: How can you work towards mountain-like endeavors while being kind to yourself?

    -Regular Prompt: What are your goals for the next year?
    -Gentle Alternative: What small efforts can you make toward the things that are becoming increasingly important, over the course of the next year?

    -Regular Prompt: What skills do you want to learn in the future?
    -Gentle Alternative: How can you slowly explore new practices or activities that build bridges and make connections that you’d like to make?

    –

    There is nothing wrong with the original prompts; however, if you ever find yourself getting stuck, you’re allowed to go beyond them. Just like a gardener adjusting their approach based on what the plants need, you can modify your prompts to suit what you need. And this something you can do through subtle shifts, over time,

    On the surface, these subtle shifts may seem like a matter of semantics or word choice. However, the specificity here allows for a more considerate approach to life in which you can welcome gentleness. Like choosing the right soil, thoughtful language can support steady and expansive growth. Welcome gentleness however you can. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Words for mountain-like endeavors

    Words for mountain-like endeavors

    As you face mountain-like endeavors,

    may you also seek out gentle rivers that remind you

    to pursue steady and purposeful

    onward movement.

    For there are mountains up ahead of you, but there will also be green pastures too. There will be valleys, and there will also be rivers that invite you to focus on how you can flow each day instead of needing to figure it all out at once. Give energy where you need to give energy and rest where you need to rest, for you will need renewed strength when it’s time to climb the mountains ahead and face new unknowns. And you will also need to have practiced engaging with slower rhythms so you know when it is time for rejuvenation.

    And if you’re looking for those slower, gradual rhythms, you can start by looking at the rhythms hidden in the rhythms of the day itself: Notice how the morning sun finds way to illuminate the most shadowy corners. Notice the light that shimmers through the leaves on the tress, and notice how it gradually changes as the day goes on. Notice how sunrise and sunset continue to unfold in the sky above, again and again.

    Notice how, even in a single instance, there is subtle yet meaningful movement, even in the simplest things…and however you can, you are free to welcome that same approach. And not because everything was suddenly figured out, but because you learned to be present within the landscape. You noticed the mountains, but you also noticed all the small things that would help you prepare to climb those mountains too.

    So when you find yourself thinking about the mountains ahead, remember the small moments you can engage with right here, too. Let it remind you to rest, find new rhythms, and pace yourself as you prepare for the journey ahead.

    Focus on what you can do each day and pace yourself through this landscape in whatever way you can, one day at a time. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • A reminder for new routines and changes

    A reminder for new routines and changes

    There are so many changes that can occur in life in which it takes time to adjust to what’s new. This is all the more reason to be kind to yourself as new changes unfold around you.

    Whether it’s something as small and a slight change in routine or a major change, at times it can be easy to think

    “This shouldn’t be difficult for me.”

    “I should be able to handle this better.”

    “Why can’t I just go with the new flow like everyone else?”

    In that space, remember that your pace doesn’t have to be like anyone else’s…including your past self. It’s okay to acknowledge how difficult it is to realize just how much is changing while also knowing it’s not too late to practice becoming more mindfully aware of what you can and cannot do, moment to moment, day by day. Words to repeat to yourself in this space:

    “I am recognizing that it can take time to adjust, and that’s okay.”

    “I am doing what I can, hour by hour, day by day.”

    “I give myself permission to rest and reset.”

    Be kind to yourself as you adapt to new routines and changes in your life. Pace yourself through it all. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Discovering new depths, even in the smallest things

    Discovering new depths, even in the smallest things

    You are free to discover new depths, right here where you are.

    You are free to engage in a practice of finding meaning in ordinary spaces, revealing depths that you have never realized before.

    Look for small moments that remind you of how you can explore new ways of doing things, right here where you are. This could look like:

    -Encountering someone rearranging or organizing something in a way that inspires you to try your own version.
    -Hearing someone you know recall a story you’ve heard them tell before, but you think of a new question to ask them about it.
    -Turning on a free calming nature music video on loop, transforming a noisy space into something slightly more calming.
    -Giving energy to something important that often gets overlooked.
    -Taking a photograph of something that isn’t typically or socially deemed as “photogenic” because it’s seen as too ordinary, but choosing to observe the beauty in it anyway.

    What all of these examples have in common is their potential to transform the mundane into something meaningful. These moments may not feel like they take you into the furthest depths, but just as dipping your toes into the water still lets you feel the ocean’s embrace, these are small moments that provide meaning and value in ways you might not expect. No matter how many times you have traveled the same coasts of everyday experiences, there is still more beyond the shore. Stay open to the small details in daily life that remind you of the hidden depth that awaits in the simplest things. And as you begin to notice these small things more, you might just begin to discover even further depths you never noticed before. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Navigating the winding journey with gentleness, attention, care

    Navigating the winding journey with gentleness, attention, care

    If you think of your life as a journey, you will slowly begin to find that it doesn’t have to be a sprint or forceful. Instead, you are free to navigate this winding path with gentleness, attention, and care. Even when figuring things out, remember that there is room for depth, exploration, and discovery to grow over time.

    It’s okay if some paths feel non-linear. It might be unfamiliar at first, but with time, you will find your rhythm and pace.

    Parts of this journey may feel sporadic. In relationships, there might be periods of closeness and distance. You will encounter both grief and joy. And as you do, remember, through it all, as sure as rivers flow and flowers grow, there will be room for you to nurture gentleness, attention, and care, right where you are.

    Words to repeat to yourself on the roads that wind and meander in life:

    “I am finding rhythms here, one day at a time.
    I am exploring new paths patiently.
    I am learning that when I reach a winding part of the journey, it does not mean I am ‘behind.’
    I am realizing that finding areas in life where I can take my time adds richness to life.
    For wherever I am headed at any given moment, I practice breathing on the way there.
    I navigate this winding journey with gentleness, attention, and care.”

    -Morgan Harper Nichols

  • the value of gradual changes

    the value of gradual changes

    There’s so much we can learn from the smaller shifts. Even when it comes to ways we think about rejuvenation, and creating space for it.

    Consider the sun’s daily journey. We rarely notice its moment-to-moment movement. Yet, at dawn and dusk, these accumulated small shifts suddenly become obvious. The sun’s gradual change, which is harder to notice throughout the day, reveals itself dramatically as the sun begins to set.

    As the sunrise and sunset show us, these gradual changes add up over time. When it comes to creating space for rejuvenation, small cumulative shifts matter, too.

    Here’s a way to think about rest and feeling refreshed over a longer timeframe. Reflect on these questions about the past decade:

    How has your idea of “feeling refreshed” changed over the last ten years?
    What things do you do differently now to rest and recover compared to 10 years ago?
    What activities have always helped you feel rested and energized?
    How do you think the way you recharge could continue to change with time?

    Taking a long-term view allows you to spot subtle shifts that might go unnoticed in shorter periods. It’s like watching the sun’s journey across the sky – individual moments may seem unremarkable, but over time, the change becomes profound. Like horizon lines stretching out before you, this broader view can help you appreciate how far you’ve come and how your small, consistent efforts have gradually built up over time.

    Through the years, you’ve been learning more about what it means to find rhythms, rest, and rejuvenation than you realize. And even if you still have ways to go, what you’ve already been discovering matters more than you know.

    Remember, in the same way the sun’s position becomes clear at specific times of day, your cumulative efforts for rejuvenation will show themselves in noticeable ways over time, too. Keep giving attention to those small shifts. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • You are allowed to do things differently now

    You are allowed to do things differently now

    You are allowed to do things differently now. You are allowed to embrace a wholehearted approach to life. Approaching where you are with wholeheartedness is to approach each day with sincere engagement, being fully engaged, where you are and how you can. And when you start to feel unsure if you are being fully present in the “right way,” take a moment to reflect and learn from where you’ve been.

    Think about all the moments in your life where you may not have been everything, but you were still able to be engaged in life in a meaningful way. Remember all the times when you were not even thinking about “being present,” and yet, there you were, breathing through each moment, acting with courage, and learning to sincerely engage with life in the way you knew how. This may not have generated the perfect results all the time, and the outcome may not have always been what you hoped or expected. It is okay to acknowledge and grieve that. And at the same time, it is also okay to acknowledge and embrace this very moment as a space in which you are still breathing, and you are free to gently and intentionally explore what it means to live wholeheartedly, right here, in new ways. This could look like:

    Finding value in the process of something coming to life, not just the result.
    Exploring new paths, even when it means starting over.
    Allowing yourself to let love in again
    Acknowledging the progress you made, even if it seems small to others
    Letting yourself become a lifelong learner in some way, even amidst the doubts that it’s too late.

    All of these are examples of embracing the “whole picture” of something: there may be a fear, doubt, or uncertainty, but you’re still open to approaching the situation wholeheartedly. You’re still able to learn from where you’ve been while recognizing, today is still a new day, and you are still free to be fully engaged right here, in pursuit of what could be.

    So here’s to letting go of the old expectations of a perfect method for being present right here, and letting yourself embrace this present moment as a space in which you can learn from where you’ve been and do something differently now, with wholeheartedness. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Beneath the layers

    Beneath the layers

    Like an ecosystem that thrives beneath the surface of a lake, life is more than outward accomplishments and the roles you have assumed. Of course, there can be great value in those things, but at the same time, in the same way a large body of water has depth and meaning beyond what is seen, the same is true with you.

    At times, this can feel too good to be true, especially when other people are relying on you and you have a great degree of responsibility. However, this is all the more reason to stay in tune with those spaces that remind you: there is more to you. Here are some places where you might begin to get subtle hints of further depths, worth noticing:

    • A place where time slows down, and you feel like you’re able to savor more
    • A conversation with someone where you actually feel like you’re being heard
    • An environment where you feel like you can try something new without worrying about doing it perfectly
    • Any small moment where you are out of your regular routine, and your wheels start turning about something new you’d like to try, explore, or consider

    These are just a few examples of things that can remind to us that there’s more to discover. And no matter how subtle or fleeting moments are, think of them as moments that remind you of who you are, beyond the surface. Think of them as ripples on the surface that remind you of the water’s further depths. Because no matter how small they are, you can continue to remind yourself that they are connected to deeper layers. These might be deeper layers that not everyone sees, and they may be deeper layers you’re still getting to know yourself, but you know you are free to explore them, one day at a time, as you learn to be more mindfully aware of who you really are beyond your roles and accomplishments, and all that there is to still discover. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Tending to the garden right here

    Tending to the garden right here

    As you learn to embrace the space right before you, you are still free to dream of what could be.

    You can be present to this moment and you can also dream ahead. Being present does not mean that you must figure out how to optimize the present moment in every possible way. Instead, like gardens that need to be tended to, this present moment can be thought of as a space in which you learn to cultivate what you can, when you can, and how you can. In a garden, it is only natural to go back and forth between planning, reflecting, and being present to the task right before you. It is only natural to long for the rain or seek to hide from the heat of sun, adjusting whatever you need to adjust, based on the conditions. Today, allow yourself to do the same. Take the pressure off yourself. There is no need to strain yourself trying to be in the present moment in the most perfect, streamlined way possible before you can view this very moment as a space you are moving through, how you can, one moment at a time. It is possible to be a dreamer and also one who tends the dirt that will nourish for those very dreams at the same time. There is room to be present while also pondering what’s to come. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Learning to hear the piano in the background (searching for harmoniousness)

    Learning to hear the piano in the background (searching for harmoniousness)

    May you be grateful for what is subtly, yet meaningfully harmonious wherever you find it.

    When people are singing and their voices are harmonizing together, it creates a pleasant sound that blends seamlessly and it can be deeply appreciated whether you have a trained musical ear or not. However, if those voices were singing over the sound of someone playing a piano, it might be harder to hear the chords that the piano is making because it’s more subtle and in the background. However, even though it’s more subtle, there is still harmony coming to life there, too.

    It’s a beautiful, satisfying thing to experience things coming together in life, like vocals creating harmony. However, before, after, and in between those moments, there are also the subtle notes, like the piano in the background that might get overlooked but are still worth paying attention to.

    You stumble upon something small that you’ve been looking for.
    Someone explains something to you in a way you can understand it.
    Moments when you’ve identified your role as a part of a larger initiative.

    These small, and even serendipitous moments may not seem like very much on the surface, playing softly in the background as we listen out for the bigger moments, but in reality, like piano notes in the background, they are still a part of what composes harmonies in life.

    So in those moments where you find yourself longing for those bigger harmonies in life, like dynamic voices all singing together in a melodic, rhythmic fashion, may you know it’s okay to long for that. It’s beautiful and it’s only natural to desire this. And at the same time, in those in-between moments, notice when more subtle harmonies begin to feel a space. Even if they are subtle, allow yourself to practice training your “ear” for them. And this process might just help you find value in the greater harmonies, too. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Breaking through to begin again

    Breaking through to begin again

    There will be times in life when you are aware that you are outgrowing old constraints. You may realize that something you used to do all the time no longer feels like a part of your journey. Or perhaps, there are people you used to be close to whom you’ve had to say goodbye to. These are moments where you can feel the shift happening, and you may even notice things changing within yourself.

    And then, there are also moments when the outgrowing of those old constraints may happen in more subtle ways, and it’s worth noticing those, too. In the same way a plant might not initially look like it’s about to outgrow its pot before it suddenly sheds old leaves to make room for new growth and reaches for the sun in a new direction, perhaps the same is true in our lives, too.

    Perhaps, it might look like this:
    The shift: You used to be driven by a strong image of how things were supposed to go, but now, you’re becoming less attached to those rigid expectations. You’re starting to be open to unexpected possibilities.

    The subtle outgrowing: There might not be a dramatic action taken in this sense, just a quiet shedding of tightly-held blueprints. Instead of resisting when life doesn’t follow the script, you are slowly cultivating an openness to what may unfold.

    The shift: You once could only see strength as holding on with all your might, but now you’re discovering the importance of letting go, too. You’re learning that flexibility and adaptability are forms of strength as well.

    The subtle outgrowing: This transformation might not come with grand gestures. Instead, it’s a gradual realization that there are some things that need untangling and unwinding. By releasing them, you’re not giving up; you’re making room for growth and new experiences, gently becoming a little more free, easing your way into new beginnings.

    In both the larger and more subtle moments, may there be more room to observe all of the steps you’ve taken to move through this. Like a growing plant, may you continue to turn and face the rising sun and shed what is no longer needed so you can continue to grow as you were meant to. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Embracing Rest

    Embracing Rest

    on embracing “rests:”

    In music, the rests between notes contribute to the overall structure and flow of the melody. Perhaps, moments of stillness can add depth and texture to your vibrant, active life. The very thing that may seem as though it mutes the melody could actually be setting the stage for what’s to come. This can be a valuable thing to remember if you find yourself in a state of restlessness. For without rests, how can the music breathe?

    When you’re yearning for something energizing, explore how quieter moments might actually be setting the stage for future crescendos. Try to make room for a spectrum of experiences – from loud, vibrant sections to soft, gentle melodies. Let these different dynamics inform and enrich each other, creating a fullness––like different instruments that have unique purposes, all playing together in harmony.

    Embrace the quiet interludes wherever you find them, they are more critical to the music than we may realize. When you start to feel that restlessness, think of rest not as an empty measure where you must be silent, but as the space between two songs, a necessary transition. That small space could literally be only one beat, and yet, it exists as a meaningful pause between musical phrases.

    What music shows us is that it is possible to embrace movement while also valuing stillness. Life moves through various tempos and volumes. May you create room to discover and rediscover the beauty in this range of experiences, again and again, through all the rhythms, tones, and cadences of life. Let yourself, “not do anything” for a moment, or even several moments, however you can…for this, too is a part of the music.

  • Be engaged where you need to be, and let go where you need to

    Be engaged where you need to be, and let go where you need to

    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

  • Redefining what counts as meaningful

    Redefining what counts as meaningful

    Finding value in ordinary experiences is not about forcing positivity onto every passing moment. Instead, it’s about allowing space for quiet recognition to take root. It is a way to be present how you can, as you prepare for the journey ahead.

    To find any richness in the ordinary today is not about ignoring everything else, but about allowing yourself to practice the very kind of attention that makes meaning possible in the first place. When you take time to notice more subtle things such as, how good it feels to be in certain spaces, how safe it feels to be with certain people, and how small gestures can restore a sense of belonging, you are affirming that the conditions for care, recognition, and connection begin in the everyday. You are saying that even if these things are normally small and unnamed, they still matter, and they are worth nurturing so that they can continue to grow in the future.

    You are allowed to redefine what counts as meaningful. You are allowed to consider everyday moments as valuable within themselves, not because they will always lead to something big, but because they help you notice what matters as you prepare for the journey ahead.

    Reclaim the significance of ordinary moments. And let them shape what kind of world is possible to carry onward into.

    – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Changing the landscape itself

    Changing the landscape itself

    Earthworms live in soil and eat decaying plant material. Their movement helps mix and aerate the earth, making it healthier for plants. And perhaps, one thing that can be learned from the earthworm is the significance of daring to go beyond the surface level. Without earthworms, soil would become compacted and less able to support the growth of crops and wild plants. In the same way earthworms patiently carve out new spaces underground, we can shape the spaces we move through with quiet persistence and determination. The smallest act can shift what seemed unmovable.

    Even when our efforts take time to show results, what remains is a kind of patient persistence that can continue to grow and a determination that we can continue to build upon. We can decide to say “yes” to depth. To spend more time on what good, honest things hold, not just what shines. To be present to the soil of this very moment, not only the distant skies.

    This does not mean hiding away forever or stagnating. Instead, it means thinking about the long-term, including the long-term that extends beyond ourselves. Like earthworms, we can learn to work steadily beneath the surface by staying present in what’s slow but necessary, and as a result, transform the landscape itself. A landscape not made overnight, but built to nourish what comes next. That kind of steady effort may not look like much at first, but it’s often how something good begins. – Morgan Harper Nichols