Every so often I write something on my newsletter about art that I think you might want to read even if art is not for you. Today may be one of those so I’m sharing it here just in case:
It’s a hard time to be an empath out here, y’all.
I suspect many of you are also feeling too much of the darkness of the world, which can be especially dangerous for those who already stand too close to the edge of the abyss. It can be easy to burn with anger at hypocrisy and hate and chaos, but here is what I have learned…and what I keep telling myself:
You can use that heat as fuel to create change, to promote kindness, to protect yourself and those who are most vulnerable…to keep you warm when the world seems too cold. But, that burning anger can also be dangerous. It can exhaust you. It can pull the oxygen from the room. It can cause you to lash out in fear at those who want to help. The smoke obscures how much good and joy is out there. And those who thrive on turmoil and hate are so happy to see you lost in it…to see your precious energy drained putting out the fires they scatter about just to keep you too busy to live.
Don’t let the world burn you to ashes.
Protecting your fragile heart can be an act of rebellion. Don’t be afraid to love and laugh and find joy and silliness even in the hard times.
Especially in the hard times.
Don’t underestimate the beautiful works of love and kindness and help that you put out into the world. You may do them loudly or you may do them quietly, but they are invaluable in ways you may never see.
Today’s doodle is inspired by one of my favorite Czech artists, Alphonse Mucha, who came from the same land that my father’s family immigrated from.
“NOT. GIVING. UP.”
Most people know Mucha from his flowy art-nouveau posters and cigarette ads but my favorites of his came at the end of his life, when he used his art to explore both the pain and the beauty of life. This one, Woman With a Burning Candle, stays with me:
It was painted during the rise of Nazism…a slavic woman tending to a candle…keeping the light in the dark going, but watching as it slowly burns down…unsure as to what would come next but still focused on the glowing illumination. He painted about enlightenment, love and knowledge in a time when all that seemed to be threatened and was an act of revolution. The day after Prague was stormed by Nazi’s, Mucha was arrested and while in custody he contracted the pneumonia that would kill him. He never lived to see the victory over the darkness, but even in that darkness and uncertainty he created light that we can still see today. He still found beauty and joy. He found a way to celebrate life and enlightenment and humanity in his own way.
He didn’t give up.
I’m not going to either.
I super-crazy love you.
~ Jenny
PS. If you ever want to feel bad about your doodles you should follow one up with a painting by an actual master because…wow. Lesson learned.
Thank you for this. I needed something to calm the manic weasel I call a brain and your post did it. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, and love you fabulously.
Your doodle is just a gorgeous as the actual master, just in a different way because you’re a different person. I also definitely needed this today and super-crazy love you too.
Needed this, now. Thank you !
I too needed this today. Figured out I’ve been feeling the depression again. Got an appt for a TMS tuneup this week, yay! I know it will help. Love that kindness can be a rebellious act!
Thank you thank you. This was a perfect post for me today. I did not know that story of Mucha. That work of his that you based your doodle on is breathtaking, and the message is as well. Thank you for all that you are, and all that you do.
Very much needed thoughtful post. Hard to take the national invitation to hate and stupidity today, but your words help see around it. Keep the candle burning
This made me cry (been crying a lot lately, realizing how poorly I fit into this world, especially now), because I’ve been truly feeling the darkness more than ever, so this really resonated. Thank you for this post, and for being there. Lots of us out here really appreciate you as we struggle not to give up hope.
I am so glad I found you Jenny. I am an empath too but I don’t have the artistic abilities that you share with each of us. Thank you for being you and keeping me believing that everything will turn out ok. Love you and your intrinsic ability to help others even when they don’t know what they can do. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU🥰🥰🥰🥰
You have no idea just how much I needed to read this today. I am a fellow empath and lately, I wake every day wondering how I am going to survive this darkness. It’s exhausting trying to keep myself together and not let the struggle show. You give me hope. Thank you, Jenny.
You put me on the verge of tears. Thank you. A lot of us needed this today. We also have to remember to care for ourselves, which is a challenge if we want to spend all our spare time volunteering. The doodle was byoodiful, but that gorgeous Slavic woman and the candle–holy cats. We’re in it together.
Please don’t give up. You have so many people who support and love you. Please take care.
Thank you for YOUR light.
O Jenny, I love you so much. Today, of all days, a light-filled message from you is so appreciated. What helps me is to remember that we are the ancestors of the future beings and what we do matters. We may not be able to counter all of the awful things, but by living our lives with love and compassion we are planting seeds for the future. With love and gratitude for this community which lifts so many in tough times.
Love, love, love your wording. It’s calmed me down – but fired me up as well. Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you Jenny. Struggling with depression and anxiety on this painful day. I focus on MLK today, instead of that other THING.
I didn’t know that about Mucha and his death. I will now read more. Always loved his work AND yours!
Sending you big love and all the things that bring you a laugh, cause yeah, we just gotta.
Don’t be afraid to love and laugh and find joy and silliness even in the hard times.
I am not afraid, Jenny. Your words encourage me.
The most important wars we win are the ones within ourselves.
Thank you, Jenny! Appreciate this post.
Your “doodles” are beautiful to me. They lift me up. Never stop being you Jenny!
I cannot currently see the light, but your post reminded me of its warmth. And your drawing is beautiful.
I loved reading this so much. Sending so much love (and, as Uncle David reminds us, that excludes no one).
Thank you.
🕯️❤️
It’s always inspiring to read your blogs and messages. We need you now more than ever. Although I don’t often read horror, I started the audiobook of Grady Hendrix’s Witchcraft for Wayward Girls yesterday, and it’s the perfect read for inauguration anger and frustration. Teen girls growing up in the 1950s-1970s, like me – the target era for MAGA to recreate. The pregnant girls who star in this marvelous book turn to witchcraft to fight the misogyny and oppression of the male dominated society. Until now, I have promoted Lysistrata as a rebellion tactic, but this is another appealing option. Bless you, Jenny. You are my heroine.
You are the light Jenny.
Thanks so much, Jenny. These are words I really needed today.
Thank you. I have a Mucha print and did not know this about him.
I used to have an Alphonse Mucha coloring book as a child, and I loved to color the people’s skin blue, purple and green.
For those of us who are empaths, life is very painful right now.
For those of us who are rainbow colored unicorns, it’s super scary.
For those of us who have to keep pushing our demons down to keep on surviving, it’s extra hard to keep pushing them down.
But I choose the light.
I choose kindness, even to myself, no matter how much my brain and others might not think we deserve it.
I refuse to give in, refuse to give up.
I choose kindness as an act of rebellion against those who are unkind.
I super crazy love all my fellow humans who are struggling right now.
We are stronger together because we have each other.
Hang in there, we are not alone.
I am so pleased to learn about this wonderful artist who shares a land with my father’s family also. My maiden name, Sidlo, means dragonfly (and also shoemaker’s awl) in Czech. Thank you for sharing our heritage! Also your message was much needed today.
None of the current situation has brought me to tears, but you just did.
Because, you get me.
I am JUST. SO. TIRED. of being filled with rage, about things that I was filled with rage about over 50 years ago.
We cannot lay down, and give up/give in, because people depend on our collective rage.
But, we can take a moment, to take a breath, take a rest, take a moment to collect ourselves, weep, breathe, and go from a place of calmer rage.
Thank you, I needed those tears.
I abhor crying.
Always have, always will.
But as Shrek once said, “Better out, than in, I always say.”
Also, Alphonse Mucha has always been one of my favorite artists.
Your doodle (Ain’t a doodle, missy. It’s a masterpiece.), is amazing.
Thank you for sharing. I’ve been immersing myself in art, and avoiding the news. Jenny, you continue to help so many people… Just by being you. 🥰
Sending love to you, Jenny, and all empaths and otherwise struggling today. This moving post reminded me of an experience I had this weekend. I tend to be a shut in, but this weekend my husband dragged me out to a double feature of the classic The Room and Big Shark by the one and only Tommy Wiseau. It was shown by a local non profit indie movie theater, and it turned out to be an unexpected salve for such times.
Someone next to me in the theatre shared plastic spoons with my husband and I to throw at the screen (inside joke with the fans of the movie itself) and it was such an absolute joy to be around other kind creative weirdos and similar thinking people who just needed to let off steam before today. It was a group of wonderful people in a darkened room who just needed to be silly and needed to belly laugh. In that darkened theatre it didn’t matter where we came from-we gave each other permission to be outrageous, to laugh, and to forget for a minute, and in a way kind of comfort each other.
It reminded me that despite this election that wonderful people like you, Jenny, (and tribe) exist and it was wonderful to see as much in the wild so to speak.
We have to remember to fill our emotional and mental tanks right now, so that we can continue to do good in the world. Despite the darkness we are out there-our wicks might be burning to its ends, but we are here.
Also, as a side note art really matters-gorgeous, soul stirring, moving art like yours matters, Jenny, and even totally awful art… aka The Room level bad… that brings joy to millions of people. Please keep creating Jenny-all of your creations matter, both written and drawn 💕💕💕 Also if you need to laugh and haven’t seen The Room it’s on YouTube and it’s shown at many theaters nationwide. Sending peace and hugs to everyone during this time.
Thank you, Jenny, and all the other wonderful people who posted to demonstrate that none of us are alone, even though we may feel like we are. Keep up the kindness!
Thank you. I needed this.
Rider21
Thank you Jenny. Can you please stop calling your drawings doodles?! They’re quite good.
I’m exhausted. Wake with anxiety and know what you mean. Thank you fir expressing it.
I’m still feeling like this
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6pMcuqgSRds
Somehow I am uplifted by reading these comments because it validates my belief that good, kind and like minded people find each other. And we support one another. Jenny, you are just the best!
I love Alphonse Mucha. I did not know his back story or his story at all. I just appreciated his beautiful art. I will now look at them with this added knowledge and insight. Thank you 🙏
You are a master in our eyes Jenny. I am so glad, especially today, that you are in my life. Thank you, love you!
This is beautiful, Jenny! And thank you – I really needed to here these words, especially today. You are one of the most wonderful people on this planet. Never stop sharing!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
So beautiful, so sad, and just what I needed today. Thank you, Jenny.
I see two images of masterful, evocative art in this post. 10/10; no notes.
Your doodles are amazing. And I love this one. And being from Pasadena, today was hard. It was hard to hear bits of hate instead of compassion for our losses. This doodle is beautiful. And Mucha is one of my favorites. I never tire of all his work. Your sentiment was a nice candle in today’s darkness.
Jenny, I cried reading your beautiful words. This has been an unbelievably awful day in an unbelievably awful couple of months, and if I’m being honest, several years. I’m so angry for many reasons, but after the election and despair from that, my military son and only child was deployed to northeast Syria for nine months. I’m beside myself with worry, grief, and powerlessness. And then I read your blog. So you gave me a reprieve, a moment to cry, mourn, take a shaky breath, and do the next needed action, even if it’s scooping out my old man’s litter box. Small actions count too. Thank you, Jenny. I won’t let the world burn me to ashes.
I purely love you. Thanks for brightening my world tonight.
Thank you. I’ll keep lighting and watching the candles. Xo
THANK YOU! Yes, I know that was loud. It was supposed to be. I love your doodles – I can barely draw a stick figure.
I’m not giving up, either. I love you, too. Thank you for being you, and for continuing to exist and find ways to spread light and love in this world.
Never let the darkness in others dim your light! <3
I won’t give up. Thank you for this beautiful email. You seem to know exactly what I needed to find some hope and look for the light.
Thank you for this
Thank you Jenny. I needed this today and it is extra wonderful to hear it from you. Super-love you back, girl. ❤️
Jenny, thank you for bringing light and hope. Your doodles are art!! I super-love you! ❤️
I’m filled with hope for what the future can (will) bring and your words just fuel that desire to always look for the light and be confident that we will persevere. Thank you for always having just the right words for storing in one’s heart when needed.
I read this, then read it twice more, then I wrote it into my quote book so I’ll always have it handy along with so many other inspiring words. (You signed my quote book when you were in Milwaukee a bunch of years ago – I was second to last, I think, and I was struck by how much care you gave everyone even though you had to be exhaused. Thank you!) ;*
Thank you for this! So needed it and will refer back to it when I feel myself slipping into despair. Thank you! xoxo
Girl so right there with you. Head down, TV off, spending the next four years in the art studio and dedicated to my job. Empath Energy is on overload. I’ve had so much tragic news in the past 60 days from my circle that one can’t help to think, “Is THIS Armageddon?” Band together positive people. We need each other!!
As much as I love Mucha (OMG, I LOVE MUCHA) I was unaware of how his life ended, and had never seen this painting of his before. And your little doodle is a tribute to him, and a work of art on its own.
I’m an empath, and the edge of the void seems very close. Thanks for the candle light.
I super-crazy love you too <3
You are a gift to the world, to all of us. I think you’re about half my age. How does someone get so much wisdom and compassion in so few years?
Anyway, I super love you and thank you for your wisdom in these dark times.
Oh Lord I needed to read this today. Thank you
You are a wonderful and precious treasure in a harsh world. Keep the light burning, and I’ll burn one too….
Thank you! I’ll keep my candle burning.
@maggie #60: Wow, you’re 100 years old and using the Internet? Look at you, Mama, you WORK. 😉
Thanks for the words of hope, Jenny. I love you, super crazy.
Your Pal,
Storm the Klingon
A wonderful reminder, thank you
Boy I needed this, Jenny. Thank you. You are the light for so many, even when you can’t see it. Thank you for always sharing your heart, your silliness, your absolute absurdity (love that the most). We crazy love you here because you help keep us sane and remind us all of our beautiful, fragile humanity. Much love, light, and joy to you in these terribly dark times.
Thank you for the beautiful reminder. You always seem to know when I need one.
Alternate Universe
You asked for comfort movies. Different movies work for different people. Haven’t kept up with shows but liked these
Wind river
The tomorrow war
Attraction 1 and 2 (good aliens)
Feel better soon. Love ya.
Jenny, I am in awe of how strong you are. I have watched you battle for years, and it has helped me keep going. Thank you! Much love to you always.
Heidi
The darkness I feel is very real to me… like being under a pile of dirty laundry (that smells). Sometimes (most of the time) the pile is too damned deep and I just cannot get out from under. I feel so left out. One of my favorite quotes is from the Jethro Tull (yes, I’m old) song “Skating Away On the Thin Ice of the New Day” (and don’t you love that title?)
“Do you ever get the feeling that the story’s too damned real and in the present tense? Or that everyone is on the stage and you’re the only person sitting in the audience?”
Thank you for listening.
Dana