“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
~ Emily Dickinson
Dear Feathered Pipe Community,
When uncertainty hangs thick and fear weaves itself into the air, it's natural to gasp, to feel lost, or unsure of where to step next. Each of us carries a weight, heavy and familiar, that sometimes feels far too great to bear alone.
Imagine a seed struggling to find root in rocky soil. Left untended, it withers. But with care, with enough light and nourishment, it finds the strength to grow against the odds. We aren’t much different—especially when we face the storms of anger, fear, or righteous indignation. These emotions are woven into the human experience; to ignore them or mask them with false cheer only makes them sharper. Instead, we can tend to ourselves in our hardest times, giving our inner soil what it needs to
bring resilience to life.
This isn’t about wearing a mask of optimism, false serenity, or pretending things aren’t hard. It’s about letting ourselves feel the weight, honor it, and then doing what we can to alleviate our own suffering so we can do the same for others. Small acts—drawing in a mindful breath, sinking into a moment of quiet, being in nature, reaching for a simple comfort—can remind us of the roots that keep us steady. These aren’t full cures; they are sensible steps to help keep us strong enough to
withstand the headwinds.
It’s easy to feel like we’re alone in our wounds and struggles, that no one could understand the particular burden we bear. But the story of separation is a fiction. We are intertwined, more than we can know, bound together by shared fears, hopes, and struggles. When you are emptied out, with nothing left to give, remember that you need not hold it all alone. Reach out. Call a friend. Confide in someone you trust who will simply listen. Let someone share the weight.
 Letting others in is not a weakness; it’s a reminder of the vast, invisible tapestry to which we belong. By caring for ourselves honestly and by leaning into one another when we’re depleted, we build a quiet, enduring strength. This doesn’t mean we stop feeling anger or fear, but
it helps us to face them without being swallowed by them.
These small acts of self-compassion open the door to the patience and courage to navigate life’s sharp edges without hardening or shutting down. We aren’t making our hearts softer for the sake of it; we’re making them resilient enough to stay open, even in hard times—open to each other, willing to hold and be held with kindness.
If you feel unsteady, start by holding that with care. Attend to the suffering. Embrace the practices, the connections, the reminders that ground you. Take care of the practical necessities. Let this shared community of ours be a source of strength and belonging.
And when you feel ready, look around. Who is within your reach? Where are your openings for compassionate action? Where can you lend your presence, your kindness, your patience? How can you nourish the dignity of others?
Together, we find our way through by leaning on one another. Every small, brave act of compassion and kindness binds us closer. You are not flying solo on this path.
With warmth,
Anne Jablonski
Feathered Pipe Foundation Board President
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