I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
We’re celebrating another ¤ JohnnyO Gratitude Day! ¤
Where Do I Belong?
In my mind. Exploring the mystical and congregating with potential expressions of these next new chapter(s): so many choices, so little time.
Where I belong most is in calm, contented effort.
Belonging comes most from noticing. Noticing the beauty and potential that surrounds you in the moment, right here, right now.
We often lose our capacity to notice by conjuring up imagined perceptions of others, rather than taking time to dialogue. Ask the question, as opposed to assuming the answer.
Have the patience to let things happen in their own time, rather than rush them—hurry, hurry, hurry. Go, go, go. Where to? To the next red light? Remember, YOU CAN’T RUSH GROWTH.
As my belonging evolves, approaching my 5th year of Sobriety, one place I belong is the very SAME Café, where I write this piece. soallmayeat.org
So all may eat, so all may grow, so all may belong. In my sobriety journey to full-fledged recovery, there was never any question in my mind that I would quit drinking. The questions were: how would I recover, build new friendships, new communities and “belongings,” and ultimately belong to myself again?
A key component of this successful journey is the Weekly Writing Circle at SAME Café led by Matt Salis of Sober and Unashamed, himself a beautiful example of inclusion and service.
Writing, growing, and belonging gave me a critical map to my personal road to recovery. The venue was SAME Café, the Community was “The Story”. Created and led by Matt Salis and Theresa Marten, it’s a weekly, no-pressure regimen to flourish myself, and inspire and serve others in the process. That was and is the privilege of the Writing Circle at SAME Café for four years now.
This was true when I was homeless. This was true when I volunteered. This was true when I had the privilege of making a small contribution by serving on SAME Café’s Board. This is true NOW, four plus years after it all began here, at SAME Café, every Thursday morning.
Now that I am back on my financial footing, I will always be a monthly donor to SAME Café –
So all may eat,
So all may write,
So all may journey.
-John Olander
under1000skies 
Such a privilege to be well, seen, and to contribute to others.
Belonging. It’s Good for ALL.
{{{John}}} Since day 1 (2017?) I have felt as though I was being given a great gift every time you contributed poetry, stories, spoken word performances or photos. During “the best of times” it’s easy to be creative, but not so much during “the worst of times.” Yet your creativity was a fire inside you, never dimming, not once, in all these years. I’m so glad we met. I’m so grateful for your consistent love and belief in my heartsong all these years. I don’t have enough words to tell you how much you mean to me. So those will have to do…for now. ^^ ♥