Hello HaQ readers – here we are in mid-November. Wow. The last week was a roller coaster for a lot of good folks. Some liked where the coaster ended up. Some didn’t. That’s not always a good feeling.

Where do you turn when the coaster turns you upside down? For me, it’s the arts. The words and images and music that lift my heart are always such a gift. So I’m letting go of “what if” in favor of what is. I’m celebrating the gifts beyond measure that others have already given and will continue to give.

Let me share with you:  We lost him this week, but the incomparable Leonard Cohen gave us music and poetry. Ever the artist, he released a new album (titled “You Want it Darker” – so perfect) only three weeks before his passing at age 82. It’s gorgeous – a poetic growl of love and life and even some regret. It reaches into the sore spots and gives them light. He believed in that. One of his most quoted lyrics is from Anthem: “Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” I just love that.

He also wrote “Hallelujah”, a song covered by dozens of artists, including Jeff Buckley. I heard it for the first time performed live by k.d. lang. She stood on stage in bare feet and tilted back her head and her amazing voice took the beauty of the music and made it transcendent. I still get chills thinking about that moment. What a gift.

Because I’m a photographer, I also love nature photography and it’s been lovely to see all the beautiful images posted on social media this week. Birds and butterflies and landscapes from all over the world. It’s a sweet reminder that this a beautiful planet in many ways, large and small. It’s always ours to appreciate.

So here’s my question for you: What is out there that makes you think, “Oh, that’s so beautiful”? Give yourself the gift of enjoying it. Listen to your favorite music. Go to a gallery and look at your favorite painting. Take a walk and enjoy the trees on a trail, or the beautiful buildings in your city. Time spent in appreciation is never wasted.

Wishing you beauty.

NaNoWriMo update: Day 13, currently at 15,091 words. That’s a bit behind. Looking to hit it hard over the next few days.

Stay tuned for more on the Here’s a Quarter blog next week! As always, your thoughts and comments are always welcome – they are moderated (I know – adulting again), so they may take a little while to appear, but I read them all and appreciate that you were here. Thank you!