March 25, 1942-Etty Hilllesum

80 years ago today.

“But I do believe that it is possible to create, even without ever writing a word or painting a picture, by simply molding one’s inner life. And that too is a deed!

Etty Hillesum

Etty questioned several times if she would ever create a piece of literature to share with the world, not realizing she was penning the words that thousands would read after her death.

She concluded that molding one’s inner life is also a creation, even though never seen by the masses. The work may appear lazy and unproductive when held in striking comparison to our culture’s hustle and grind narrative.

Praying, meditating, thinking, remembering. Healing. Creating. These things require time and solitude and are themselves a deed.

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