It's amazing how things come together sometimes. I feel like I've been following the breadcrumbs of all that I've been reading + watching + thinking...and it's leading to beautiful places.
I've been intrigued by Rick Rubin since I heard him on Ezra Klein's podcast + subsequently read his book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being. I found Shangri-La, through a long ago pinned photo of his intentionally designed studio space. All of the above are worth consuming with a notebook + pen. I read Audrey Elledge + Elizabeth Moore's Liturgies for Hope after Jo texted me photos of a couple of pages from it. These words are sticking with me. I've been dealing with some pain lately + experimenting with treatment, perspective + the mind body connection. While I waited for the library's copy of The Body Keeps the Score (again), I listened to Bessel Van der Kolk (again) here + here. All of it has me reading + listening every chance I get. Watching Flora + Son was a reminder that joy can be found in the present...even in an imperfect present. It's a reminder that curiosity + connection are worth pursuing...even imperfectly. How do you do your laundry? One degree of separation from being raw materials again. Love, Jane My partner + I first lived together in Denver. We'd heard about bands like U2 playing at Red Rocks amphitheater, but we didn't have extra money for things like that. This summer, we finally picked a concert + went. The most memorable moment for me was when Phoenix played Love like a Sunset just as the sun set over the red rocks (utterly magical)...well that + when Thomas Mars touched my shoulder (!) to move me out of his way as he descended through the crowd. (ha) This explanation of how the song was made gave me goosebumps. "It's the end for you. The sun is going down, but for others it is rising. Something goes on."
The point is not happiness. It's happier-ness. Interestingly, this idea makes me feel I've gained something, not lost. A space for two couples. This weekend, seasonal eating involves apple crisp + pasta with spiralized zucchini, green onion + parmesan. There will be hot tea + mango smoothies, because these days are the perfect mix of sunny afternoons + cool evenings (+ also because that's what's in my fridge). :) Hope your weekend involves rest + play...a feast for the senses + time to notice it. Loads of love, Jane Two reasons I'm loving my library right now:
Enchantment : Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May :: A collection of beautifully communicated thoughts + observations which ripple deeper + deeper into my mind + create a path of breadcrumbs toward my own connection. Still Life by Rebecca Pacheco :: We're digging into this meditation thing...practicing...learning...opening to its possibilities...and feeling into its offerings. This book is part of that gentle quest. More reasons to pay attention to what goes into our clothing. A quiet phase out that lowers emissions. A government clothing repair scheme. When you know what is enough, you are happy. Ritual is a delicious concept. It conjures thoughts of centering actions with deep meaning that we can return to over + over again. Rituals have the power to gently turn our attention + transform our perspectives.
I've been enjoying the ritual of dipping into guided journaling each morning, and I'm so happy with this little gem of a tool of late. Rachel Garahan starts out by expanding our gratitude vocabulary and then lays out a simple, yet profound guide to transforming our perspective (+ action) with a weekly practice. This practice goes beyond the familiar gratitude list + offers something deeper. It's a guide for days when it's harder to feel grateful + for taking action in the week ahead. All I can say is that I ended up purchasing three more copies for my nearest + dearest and since then have thought of a few more people with whom I'd like to share it (including you!). I want to sincerely thank Rachel for creating this beautiful book + for inviting us to "fill not just our own cups, but others' as well, the fountain of gratitude propelling its cycle forward." Love, Jane A few good library check-outs lately:
Doubling every six years. What's next. Together. Have a fantastic weekend, friends! Love, Jane We're trying to get out there on long walks even when the conditions are not inviting. There is always so much beauty to be found.
New York is the first to pass a right-to-repair law. Redefining. California-grown, regenerative cotton! Repair lair. Minimalist experiments. Enough. Hope your weekend is full of beauty...right where you are! Much love, Jane noticing the good this week:
Love, Jane
A conversation regarding yesterday's US Supreme Court decision led to talk of core values. I firmly believe that the simpler we can make our core values...the easier it is for them to inform our beliefs + actions. My most core value is love. Simple.
There will always be abortions. Banning safe abortion is not love. Creating suspicion, criminality + lack of access to treatment around miscarriage + nonviable pregnancy are not love. Possible. Together. Oh, yes they (and we) can. How will it be used it? Yes, please. A theme of "possible" runs through the links this week. It's up to all of us to choose the sort of world we want to live in + to act in that direction. We are all influencers. Have a thoughtful weekend, friends. Much love, Jane |
on a journey toward zero-waste, simplicity, + compassion :: daring to choose fair one choice at a time
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