and post some of what I’ve created and done in the last 12 months. However, when I woke up on this last day of 2022 and read Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American daily email, I shifted gears.
“In their fight for their right to self-determination, the Ukrainians and their defenders reminded the United States what cherishing democracy actually looks like.”
—Letters from an American/Heather Cox Richardson
________________________
—Ukrainian President Zelensky when the U.S. offered to evacuate him.
“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
What this quote meant to me: I will grow in maturity and understanding when I stay close to conflict(s), even when confusing, painful, and messy. Fleeing is easier...and lacking courage.
________________________
“The only thing I do know is that we have to be kind. Please. Be kind, especially when we don’t know what’s going on.”
—Waymond Wang from the film, Everything Everywhere All At Once
It's far too easy for me to get defensive and act unkind when I am uncertain or pushed. This quote is a good reminder to lead with kindness...the universe clearly needs this from all of us now.
Evelyn Wang, the heroine in my favorite movie of the year is a badass middle-aged female superhero. She gets to see and experience her many lives out in the multi-verse. The film is all about hanging in there with people we love even when the relationship is messy, painful, and complicated. I guess I gleaned almost the same message as the quote from President Zelensky.
There are so many versions of me that have already existed and will exist in the future. I believe I can summon the creativity, wisdom, skills, or total dumbassery of all of them when needed.
Evelyn Wang : There is no way I am the Evelyn you are looking for.
Waymond Wang : [as Alpha Waymond] Every rejection, every disappointment has led you to this moment. Don’t let anything distract you from it.
When a version of me is doing something not particularly interesting, I sometimes wonder what the other Lisas are doing. In 2023 I plan to explore my desire for more theatrics out in the multiverse. I’m not quite sure what that will look like yet, but if I lead with kindness to myself during this time of uncertainty I think I’ll be in good shape.
Thank you, Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for creating Evelyn Wang and this story.
LETTERS from an AMERICAN: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/december-30-2022?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=20533&post_id=93881839&isFreemail=false&utm_medium=email
Heather Cox Richardson is an American historian and professor of history at Boston College, where she teaches courses on the American Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, the American West, and the Plains Indians.