In this moment, it is hard not to be scared. Despair is so inviting when cruelty is so abundant.

It would be comforting to retreat, fade away, or reach for illusions of control when we feel darkness closing in.

But the convenient choice is not the one that moves us forward. It is the decision to love in the face of hatred that will change us all for the better.

To love yourself enough to stand in your strength and demand what you deserve.

To love others enough to set yourself aside and support everyone’s individuality by fiercely protecting what we all bring.

To love our world enough to defend what makes life so beautiful.

In all moments, look for the love. Look for the transformative power that community provides. We can accomplish so little alone, but together in love we can create a new future. 

Leean is a student in the NEATO Pathway 2 – New Equations Fusion program. Leean is currently traveling the world while writing, drawing, and collecting incredible experiences.