Lightly

Life's lessons. As a visual arts teacher, I used to tell my students to sketch lightly. As a daughter, my mom would always tell me to "lighten up". As a mom, I wish I had been better at modeling this. As the founder of Walt's Waltz, I understand how my genetics made lightening up sometimes quite difficult as my anxiety would take the reigns. I wish I had better understood . . .

Mental health is complicated. Genetic research is an important way we can understand our nature and tendencies. As a human being getting ready to turn 61, refection can be oh so difficult, but I hope what I am better understanding and our work will help others.

"It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them. I was so preposterously serious in those days… Lightly, lightly – it’s the best advice ever given me…So throw away your baggage and go forward. There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet, trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair. That’s why you must walk so lightly. Lightly my darling…"

Aldous Huxley - Island

With gratitude, hope, and love,

susan