What gets you out into the world these days?

Last week AL and I took my brother Matt to see The Guess Who concert in London, ON. It was so fun!

It was a simple outing, but also something much bigger. Because of his recent disability, Matt rarely leaves the house these days. In fact, he has not been to any kind of social activity—or much of anything—for nearly three years. Taking him to this concert was a big deal.

As we sat among hundreds of people singing familiar songs, he had tears in his eyes. I found myself thinking about how important it is to keep showing up.

Not just for concerts.

For community.

For creative work.

For conversations.

For the things that bring us together.

Lately I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to stay home.

Life is busy. Many of us are caring for aging parents, grandchildren, partners, businesses—or simply trying to keep up with the demands of everyday life. Even as someone who loves community gatherings, I occasionally find myself debating whether to venture out or stay in.

And yet, some of my most meaningful experiences this year have happened because I said yes and showed up.

A concert with my brother. A conversation around a campfire after Poetry Night. Meeting new people at the market. An unexpected invitation. A walk with a friend.

Those moments rarely make it onto our to-do lists, but they often become the experiences we remember.