I’m ba-ack! Welcome to my blog reboot!

My new monthly blog will feature brief, positive messages to inspire readers towards their dreams. It is only fitting that my first month’s theme is UBUNTU.

Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu (South Africa) term meaning “humanity”. It is often translated as “I am because we are,” or “humanity towards others”. For decades, leaders like Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela spread the profound message of Ubuntu as a philosophical belief in a “universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity”.

For me, Ubuntu is the reciprocal love and encouragement of my family and friends. It is the mutual optimism, fierce cheerleading, and honest feedback exchanges with my fellow ScreenwritingU alums. It is my amazing Kickstarter supporters who wholeheartedly believed in a first-time author.

It’s the thrill of March Madness and cheering for my alma mater. It was singing in unity with the echelon family at last summer’s Thirty Seconds to Mars Chicago concert. It is the friend who listened to my deluge of tears when I hit a major obstacle (a few, actually).

Everyone needs to feel seen and heard, which is why I often start conversations with total strangers in public. It’s also the reason I bake and share 200+ cookies with my neighbors every December. What if I’m the only person they talk to that day? We’re instantly connected by technology, but we’re connecting less in person and I believe this disconnection can erode empathy, both on the individual and societal level. I particularly enjoyed a recent article in Yes! Magazine about the benefits of connecting with our neighbors even when we believe we don’t like social interaction.

It is my sincere hope that my future readers and movie audiences will see themselves reflected in my stories. I’d love to be part of the reason that people spend quality, in-person time together again. Who are you spending time with this month? Thanks for connecting with me.

Hugs,
Sadie