Things that made me smile this week

Finding light in the shadows

It’s been a strange week. In fact, it’s been a strange year.

On Monday, a busker, strumming his electric guitar to a tune of no melody - lifted his head, focused his angry eyes and stuck his middle finger up at me and only me.

On Tuesday, a busker held her hand to her heart as she looked at me and sung sweet songs that captivated me and other commuters for nearly an hour. Reduced me to tears.

These moments - shadow and light - reminded me we get to decide what energy we put out into the world and I remain grateful for that beautiful interaction on Tuesday, because it carried me through my week.

Here’s a little snippet:

Her name is Lorana - and you can check out her beautiful spirit and soul lifting music on Spotify or Youtube.

I’ve been under the weather of late - so the hubs took me on a date day on Monday. I highly recommend starting your week this way.

I had a meeting at the Jamaica High Commission. Again. Why is an article for another day - but visiting is always full of wonder, teeth kissing and belly laughing.

Really enjoying my dear colleague Prentis Hemphill What it Takes to Heal for a second time - on audio this time. ( I have a tendency of buying books and also audio versions - anyone else?)

Prentis and I in London earlier this year

What it Takes to Heal is the book of these times. It is a rallying call for those of us who do service / front line work, to prioritise our healing - because, as I often say, you can’t have collective healing and exclude your own, our life quite literally depends on it.

Drinking tea is a deliberate ritual for me. Each sip is a moment to be mindful, to be present, to be still.

I love these daily prayers from my Yogi Tea bag: “May all live in peace, tranquility, honor and love” May it be so.

Love letters, sweet paintings and peonies - thank you

Janelle Hardacre

Found out today that my podcast Hidden Histories with Nova Reid has been selected by The Guardian as one of the best podcasts in the U.K.! Such a special way to end the week.

Particularly sweet to be sandwiched next to Dancing with Shadows, which shares honest accounts of NYC ballet dancers at the top of their game and that all that glitters isn’t gold. I was a professional dancer, singer and actress in a former life - when there wasn’t social media reels for evidence, so this feels apt.

My first strawberry harvest - savoured this one. Sweet, juicy and delicious. Now impatiently waiting for the others to grow.

UK folks - In case you missed it, I’ll be joined by brilliant journalist, author, documentary maker, and former barrister and fellow Substacker

Afua

- at UNTOLD September 8th at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London - for a night of conversation, truth telling and live performances.

We'll be having a powerful conversation exploring identity, belonging, and the untold stories that shape who we are. And of course - we'll be talking all about Hidden Histories with Nova Reid.

Reserve your seat here

Notice the sweet daily wonders - amongst the shadows there is always light - follow the light.

Until soon.

Much love,

Nova

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Nova Reid is a writer, mental health advocate, TED Speaker and Producer. She is author of The Good Ally and host and executive producer of Hidden Histories with Nova Reid. You can find out more about her work on www.novareid.com