In a lot of ways, Bittersweet Paradox was the first creative project idea that came to mind. It was a time when it really dawned on me in real time that I was in the middle of a tough situation much like we’ve all experienced in our own way. It wasn’t just a momentary time of pain like when you accidentally kick the leg of your bed in the middle of the night and the corner splits your baby and second toe so hard that you feel it in your stomach. It was more like one of those times when you open your eyes in the morning and your first thought is “how am I going to get through this? I don’t want any of this to be happening.” I was lucky that in those months (years?) of that time, I had a community of folks that I’d collected throughout my life that had also experienced (or were actively experiencing) their own version of the toughest days. The commiseration in that community was relatable and comforting in a way that I still can’t articulate well.
In this recognition of what we all had in front of and behind us was that life still goes on. There’s the chaotic storm that demands our attention, but there’s life outside of it.
There are still birds chirping (and getting stuck on my parents screened in porch refusing to find their way out of the many open doors. There are still hospital staff that are little rays of sunshine ushering us through the healthcare nightmare. There are still children living their best lives climbing the rocks at the park as many times as their parents will allow. There are still jokes to be made. There are still embarrassing mistakes (and clumsy moments, if you’re me) to laugh at. There are still moments of levity despite the darkness threatening to overtake the rest of our focus.
Both of these things can be true at once. A bittersweet paradox of life, if you will.
Thus, the idea for Bittersweet Paradox was born. Fueled by supportive friends (shout out Ashley & Sara) that are willing to participate and listen to me talk endlessly about my idea, my life, my sadness, my whatever and also willing to share their own experiences. I was searching for something that fit this crossover between the highs and lows of our lives and I couldn’t find it. So, with the help of those in it with me, we created it.
But, I was also stuck when it came to figuring out the logistics and framework of it.
So I diverted my attention to CFG and the Capitalism for Good project.
About a week ago, I decided it was time to use what I learned with the Capitalism for Good project and launch Bittersweet Paradox into the world (hopefully to not explode upon takeoff like an unnamed man’s current track record…). I also decided that If I was going to ask people to share about a time when the dark storm was looming large over their lives (but also the bright moments that occur...
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