Hi, Ash! Aiša here 🙂 Thank you for sharing your work of he(art) with us <3

Surely, anyone who reads this letter will find that they are ready and more than willing to accept you! But guess what? You don’t need them to.

You’ve got YOU!

I’m absolutely gushing over the radical self-acceptance this piece embodies.

“[…] but I move to a melody
only a few can comprehend.”

This is lovely—thanks again for sharing, Ash!

Hi there, Hannah. Thank you so much for sharing about your return to the arts

“[…] without conscious acknowledgement
with daydreaming and journal entries”

It’s funny, this descriptor echoes a familiar sentiment—that of my own journey. But with one exception, I wasn’t returning. No, I was finding myself.

For the first time! Ignoring and longing for self-discovery until one day, I finally faced the music.

It’s true that the small wins come together to make big waves. And I’m sure we can agree that when they do, it’s nothing short of magic.

I do hope inspiration comes knocking on your door often 🙂

Happy New Year, Hannah!

“[…]the expectations are loud”—
and too loud at that!

These four words say it all—all that needs saying, they’ve said!

May this be another “YES year” nonetheless 🙂

Thanks for this one, Gie <3

Hi there, Rashan. Aiša here. Thank you so much for sharing about this experience of leaving your comfort zone.

I’ll admit, I require this reminder for too often—that

“[…] it’s not the eloquence, but what I say,
That truly matters at the end of the day.”

And I can’t tell you what a relief it was to read. You couldn’t have left us with a more eloquent string of words than those you’ve penned <3

Unfortunately, I don’t give myself this friendly reminder nearly enough. Instead, I’m self-critical—and not just of my speech. I scrutinize my writing too…

I sometimes suspect neither deserves reviews as harsh as those I hash out. However, these remain nothing more than suspicions in this place where self-critical is rampant.

This is all to say, your words deeply resonated. I appreciate them and I appreciate you—their writer. So once again, thank you for sharing 🙂

And I hope your new year is off to a great start!

Hi there, Saga. Aiša here. Thank you so much for entrusting us with this masterpiece!

It’s definitely my cup of tea: spiritual, abstract, a little witty—all that good stuff 🙂

Happy New Year, Saga <3

Jake, you’ve done it again! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

Hi there, Oswald. Aiša here. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us <3

I can only imagine the places those fighter-feet of yours will take you this year 🙂

Happy New Year, Oswald!

“No late times in the grand design,”—
I can assure you, this one’s gonna stick <3

Thanks for sharing 🙂

Hi there, Kaylie. Aiša here. Thank you for sharing about your leaves—

and for the sense of inner peace you’ve managed to evoke in me 🙂

when “[…you{ slumber into the leaves, sinking into the pile.
Maybe it’s ok to stay for a while?”

Surely <3
Happy New Year, Kaylie!

Hi there, Vicky. Aiša here. Thank you for sharing your gratitude for moments such as these 🙂

For me, one such moment was reading

“In the moments you whisper underneath your breath, “I don’t want this to ever end.””

Happy New Year, Vicky <3

Hi there, Kristen. Aiša here. Thank you so much for sharing a little bit about the life you live—the one you never knew <3

Everything you can imagine is real. I’m glad you saw a life in which you were grateful that you choose yourself and grateful for your growing health. Because look at you now!

Happy New Year, Kristen 🙂

Hi there, Kiore. Aiša here. Thank you for sharing what I feel is nothing short of an act of activism.

It feels silly to quote the following in light of all that you’ve penned, but I’m compelled to do so anyway.

“I’m grateful to be able to have an opportunity like this

It’s shocking how many of these in the past I’ve missed”

You hit the nail on the head that is my life with these words. When I read them, it felt as though you were speaking to me directly.

For me, this was profound. And it’s a lesson I continue to learn, time and time again.

Why wait? Happy New Year, Kiore.

Hi there. Thanks for sharing 🙂 I’m glad you found your voice—almost as glad as I am that you’re using it!

Happy New Year <3

Hi there, Jazmine. Aiša here. Thank you for sharing about this special bond that very few of us experience.

“To find a soulmate in a friend
Is special” indeed.

Just today, the immense gratitude I have for mine snuck up on me 🙂

Because it’s true, that
“People hurt you
They disappoint you
Make you disbelieve”

But the opening this leaves for revivals of faith—it’s nothing short of magic <3

Happy New Year, Jazmine!

Hi there, Lorinda. Aiša here. Thank you so much for sharing what was clearly a lively scene and emotive moment for you with us all <3

Now, I’ve never taken part or even made the trip to watch, but after reading your piece…I think this is the year that changes 🙂

Happy New Year, Lorinda!

From the image in the banner, to the title and poem itself…this deeply resonated—although it didn’t sting, instead it tickled?

Because look at us!!

I have a hunch about the circumstances around which this poem came to be, but I’ll leave it at that. Unless, of course, you’d like to chat 🙂

Before I go, if I could find a way to let every singer-songwriter know:

“We’d walk across the ocean and back
No questions asked,”

then I would <3

“we consider what matters,
and come to the conclusion that nothing does

[…then] that everything does“

I love a good full circle moment—thanks for sharing! <3

Hi there, Cam. Aiša here. Thank you for the brief moment of silence you’ve imparted upon me, with these here words.

I can’t help but wonder if you and Tasha would get along as well as I suspect I’d get along with each of you :’)

I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this, as well as her poem. Do let me know if you get around to it <3

Happy New Year, Cam.