Illuminate & reflect

As I approach my birthday and another trip around the sun, I’ve felt the desire to create something meaningful. Lots of reasons for this, not just my birthday, but the culmination of three years in London and it’s hard to capture what's happened in that time succinctly. While I've always chronicled my adventures abroad, with journals filled from Dublin to Sydney capturing reflections and daily musings, my time in London has felt more like a lasting chapter—a home away from home akin to New York or Boston. Perhaps, I thought, I didn't need to document it in the same meticulous way; after all, I'm here for the long haul. Yet, as I reflect, I realize the need to document this phase of my life now more than ever. There's a fresh perspective and a yearning to embark on something new.

We all harbor dreams; sometimes, all it takes is granting ourselves permission to set those dreams into motion. Recently, I stumbled upon a quote that resonated with me:

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. ~Edith Wharton

We’re both candles and mirrors at different times in our lives. We can see this as symbolism for creativity and inspiration. Candles generate light and mirrors can be as important as candles with their ability to extend and concentrate light into new areas. So, whether you're forging something novel or supporting others in their creative endeavors, it's meaningful work.