To our beloved readers and contributors,
On this celebration of our first year as a publication, the first thing I want to say is, thank you. There are not enough words in the English language to express the immense gratitude I feel for reaching this milestone. My heart is bursting knowing we can share this moment with so many spectacular souls. I’m currently on my own Pilgrimage walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and it has inspired me to write this letter from the heart. It’s the only way I know how to express myself fully.
Most people don’t know this, but Ashley and I still have yet to meet in person. We connected through a Facebook group sometime in 2016 and again through our musings on Medium. She’s the first person who believed in me as a writer and I was able to flourish because of her continued support.
A year ago, Ashley put out a call for an assistant of sorts. I very well should have sent over a CV, but she always encourages vulnerability.
On March 2018, I wrote: “My primary goal is to find my creative tribe. A group of individuals stepping bravely into the unknown and fostering a deeper connection with the world around them. I truly believe Pilgrim Magazine is that tribe. To have the opportunity to help curate meaningful content and bring stories to life through words and imagery is everything I hope to accomplish in this life. I know this will be a valuable learning experience and I would love to have the opportunity to grow under your guidance.”
Instead of taking on the role of an assistant, she gave me the opportunity of my dreams: to help her bring Pilgrim Magazine to fruition as both Editor and Co-Curator of Stories and elevate the voices of writers and creatives from around the world. We poured 200 hours into the launch of the website, which involved a full overhaul of the current theme and a steep learning curve for both of us. Our amazing graphic designer, Alix, perfectly branded every graphic, icon, and image of Ashley’s dreams. And with the help of our six initial contributors, Pilgrim Magazine officially went live on June 4, 2018.
This year hasn’t been without its immense hardships. One week after launch, I received news that my best friend had passed in a tragic swimming accident. Life went into a permanent state of unraveling after his death. It inspired a soul journey beyond my comprehension and Ashley gave me the space to explore the depths of what that means. Just when I thought I regained balance and clarity, an abrupt international move back to California left me wondering if I could continue forward. With the support, patience, and understanding of every writer and contributor on our team, I was able to regain momentum and continue moving toward the dreams we have for Pilgrim. The honest truth is that this publication breaths inspiration into the far corners of my soul. Even in the darkest hours, I know it will continue to be a guiding light through my experiences. I hope it will continue to be a light for yours, too.
Pilgrim has continued to evolve into a large community of brave hearts and open minds. In dreaming of what this publication could become, I never imagined we would reach the corners of the world as quickly as we have, but our reach has shown the power of the internet when combined with the written word. Our contributors’ experiences have resonated in the hearts of our readers, and it has inspired submissions from unexpected places (including one from my own father).
Having the opportunity to elevate so many diverse and remarkable voices has been the greatest honor. To be on the receiving end of so many lives and stories with an unexplainable eagerness to share has given me so much hope in continuing these connections. So many of you have trusted me to bring your words and your images to life and for that trust, I can only say thank you. I understand how much courage it takes to place your experiences in the hands of another, and I hope you extend that trust to others as you continue exploring your journey as a writer.
I have learned so much about this vast and vibrant world because of each and every one of you—your lives, your dreams, your experiences, your words. You’ve encouraged me to move through the world with more intention and open my heart even further to those I encounter in my wandering. I never imagined I would come to know such an intricate web of people and their experiences, but I’m grateful for it every day. You’ve shown me more than I ever imagined and this growth is because of your vulnerability and passion for life.
To our new contributors and readers waiting on the horizon: I can’t wait to welcome you with the same open arms so many have shown me over the last year. I look forward to the chance to learn the depths of your hearts and see more of the world through the experiences you share.
It has been an honor and a privilege to work with so many brilliant minds.
Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you.
All my love and gratitude,
Hayli Nicole
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