Connection

This is under1000skies.org‘s 11th year. When we don’t have unhoused authors’ creative works to feature, I create Gems. These are quotes plus photos that have either been contributed by readers or gifted by volunteer photographers.

Every two weeks for most of those years, I’ve chosen a new theme for quotes. I try to determine what the world is feeling and find the opposite. (I know. I know. That’s the opposite of what Howard Thurman wrote):

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

The thing is, this does make me come alive. I was stuck in my house for 18 years, stricken by PTSD and agoraphobia, unable to even go out my front door most of the time. I used to see the full moon through my window and sob because I couldn’t even go outside and stand under it. I was safe, after nearly 40 years of severe trauma, but my mind wouldn’t let it go. The panic attacks didn’t even start until I got to a safe place and found my person.

I came up with the idea for under1000skies when, during a discussion with an author on Twitter in 2014 about homelessness, he challenged me to “do something about it.” When I asked him for clarification, he suggested I write a blog. I couldn’t go out and meet anyone personally, but I could write. So I started my first WordPress blog and my first post was, “It Begins with Me.”  I had no idea what I was going to do help, but I allowed myself to hope and that hope brought me back to life.

Then I realized that we connect most deeply when we create together. I have been homeless twice in my life. I was terrified both times. I longed to find a way to give people experiencing homelessness hope. So I assembled packages that contained a disposable camera and a notebook and some essentials and asked for help to hand those out on my online community, Kindspring.org. I asked for people to give the packs out to anyone they met who was unhoused in their cities. I put a letter in the pack asking that anyone receiving these packs who contributed photos or poems (or any creative work) would be featured on a brand new site, under1000skies.

Nicole Huguenin responded almost immediately, and she introduced me to JohnnyO who was living in Denver. The rest is history. (John’s story is incredibly inspirational. Check out his link to read more about it. More about Gems is on our About page.)

I’m writing this essay today because the theme I chose for these coming weeks is the opposite of what a lot of people are feeling lately. (Not anger. The other one.) Loneliness. The theme will be “connection.” I’ve chosen ten quotes for two weeks, but I would love to continue and make it four — and for that I need your help.

Questions:

• Do you have any favorite quotes or song lyrics about connection?
• Do you have any photos or art you created that symbolizes connection for you that you might share?
• Or do you simply have something to say about connection?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, send your answer to me and I’ll feature it on a Gem in upcoming weeks.

Connection comes in all forms and it changes over time. My house full of kids got very quiet a few years ago when my youngest got married. My 85-year old mom lives in a silent apartment without the vibrant, beautiful man she loved from the age of 26, my step-dad. He left us ten years ago and that deep love leaves a great big chasm of emptiness. The love remains but the physical absence leaves us feeling so alone.

We’re not alone. We’re not islands. I’m so grateful I can write this and know you will read it. I’m so thankful I get to be connected to you.

With love and gratitude,

♥ Niki Flow

PS I was cured of both the attacks and the agoraphobia in 2018. I wrote about that here: https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/personal-stories/transformation

7:37 PM Same Day: PS2 Every post I get to read here, every single comment on mine, every email, is a light for me. It’s healing and inspirational and brings me so much joy. I meant to write that too. ♥