Kaleidoscope of Connection

Close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep breath in, then slowly let it out. Do it again. Clear your mind of the “what I have to do,” the “where I need to go,” the “why isn’t this working out,” and the “why isn’t that person doing what I need them to do.”

If you’ve already reflected on the blessings around you today, that’s wonderful. But if not, take a moment now.

Now, ask yourself: Have I shared the blessings? Have I shared the joy? How is my neighbor doing? How is my community doing?

Think about the safety instructions you hear on a plane. You’re told to put on your oxygen mask first before helping others. You must be safe and whole to care for those around you. This journey began with focusing on and strengthening yourself, and that work isn’t done—it never is. But now, it’s time to look outward.

I’ll be honest. Recent events in my country made me hesitate to think about others. I felt unseen, unheard, and weary of pouring from an empty cup. Women, especially women like me, often sacrifice their own well-being to care for others. While selflessness is beautiful, it comes at a cost. How much can we truly give when we’re falling apart?

I’m grateful the journey began with strengthening myself. It’s made me more resilient, more equipped to face challenges. But now, I feel called to ask my sisters, “How are you doing?” I feel called to ask my community, “How are you doing?”

And when I say “community,” I acknowledge it’s complex. Like me, community has many dimensions—different faces, loves, lives, and experiences. We are a vibrant, intricate tapestry, a kaleidoscope of humanity. Yet even in our differences, I seek connection.

I’m still a work in progress. I remind myself daily to see the beauty in my blessings, to leap into my future, and to notice the magic around me. I know I’m not alone. Others are just starting this journey, further along, or walking beside me. In this shared path, we are connected. You are my community. So again, I ask, “How are you doing?”

Together, let’s explore and embrace the Kaleidoscope of Connection. And it’s okay—necessary, even—to ask, “How are you doing?”