To the Gardeners of Good

you are leading us somewhere great ...

I’ve stumbled into one of the brightest spots on the internet. Truly. Some weeks, you good humans fill the comment section with brilliant bits of insight or generous encouragement. Last week, though, you filled my inbox with incredible emails. Well-timed emails. Wildly uplifting emails. These were some of the kindest, wisest, warmest blasts of hope I might have ever received. Thank you.

Last week, I shared the story of the dumpster fire and the garden. So many of you responded with beautiful stories about real-life gardeners of good:

This newsletter grew out of a desire to see, share, and celebrate hope in the world. The idea was that maybe by focusing on it more, I might see it. One year later, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for where this has led and where it’s leading. Thank you for helping me see so much good. You’re reminding me why I started this whole project in the first place.

A dear reader pointed me to this interview with Austin Kleon:

“…my books are seen as positive and encouraging, but they almost always come from a place of disgust with some part of the culture. (There’s a good line in Dune: “What do you despise? By this are you truly known.”)

I am angered by so much in the world, but then I’m extremely curious about what the opposite might be. I seek out the opposite of what angers me, and I try to amplify it in my work.”

Yes! I love how Austin flips his anger into a curiosity about what the opposite might be. His thinking here was sparked by something Henry Rollins said, “I am angry and curious. These two things propel me forward.”

Curiosity is a form of caring. We’d be wise to lean into it more.

Here’s to the gardeners of good.

Here’s to the quiet, but bold ones adding beauty to the world.

The listeners. The nurturers.

The teachers. The teachable.

The neighbors. The friends.

The senders of emails.

You add so much life to this world.

Thanks for being here.

• Store - We have signed books, art prints, cards, shirts, and more! Treat yourself here.

• Speaking - I’ll be in Portland, Oregon this weekend with thousands of educators at the NAESPA Conference!

• Tickets - Later this month, I’m speaking in Atlanta, GA with the great community of do-gooders at Plywood Presents - tickets available here!