Splash No. 128 - Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving
Short letter today: I'm lucky enough to get the week off from work, so I've been trying to relax and enjoy my time a little bit. I'm still grinding and writing and thinking and thriving, so I'll be back next week with another essay for y'all.
It's (American) Thanksgiving today, which is a holiday that often draws on false myths about colonial interactions with the Indigenous people of America. Take some time today to learn about the reality and support the Indigenous American community if you have some time or money to spare.
I also want to take a moment to express gratitude: I'm thankful for the immense privilege that I have, which allows me to have so many choices in life. I'm thankful for the love. The love I receive from my family and friends, and the love that I find in the world, in art and beyond. I'm thankful for all of you, folks that I know and that I don't, who push me along this path, as I grow and learn and change over time. I'm thankful for hope — that even when things look bleak, that there are glimpses of light of what can be and what will be.
I'm thankful for tea and coffee, milk and cookies, sunsets and sunrises. I'm thankful for the naked trees and the evergreens, the cold breezes and the toasty rays. I'm thankful for all that is and all that will be, and that I somehow managed to be a part of it all. I'm thankful for the memories that fill my soul, of those here and those gone, and for all of the memories yet to be made. I'm thankful for it all.
I would love to hear what you're thankful for! Hit that reply button and share the gratitude!
Drops of the Week
PLAYLIST - november 20 - every month I make a playlist that includes all the new songs I've discovered or the old ones I've been jamming to. This one's super eclectic, including music from all around the world and every possible vibe.
ARTICLE - "What Jacques Derrida Understood About Friendship" by Hua Hsu - great piece that my friend Risha recommended to me. I've been thinking a lot about friendship and its importance, so it felt super relevant.
BOOK - Stoner by John Williams - incredible book that traces the life of an academic throughout the 20th century. It made me think a lot about what it means to live a worthwhile life.
The new president may not be a white supremacist, but there's still work to be done. With each day, we move closer to a more equitable world. Reminders:
Ways you can help
Anti-racism resources
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Also, I'd love to hear your thoughts— you can reply to this email if you loved or hated the letter, or you want to tell me about how your day has been. I'm all ears (like literally, every part of my body consists of ears).
With my mouth full,
Nikhil