Hello loves!
Today last year I pressed send on the very first issue of this baby venture of mine. Because of you, today I send #13.
Over the past year together we’ve endured the unendurable. Leaning on the digital world for connection, we’ve found love and friends in this place. We’ve explored what love means and the reason we should bother. We’ve learned about belonging and the power of letting go. We’ve practiced how to give ourselves rest, how to pause, and how to listen. We’ve found hope, patience, and growth. We’ve leaned in to the liminal and the other as we search for ourselves.
Thank you thank you for all your time, energy, love and attention. These are your most precious resources, and the most generous gifts you can give another. I am humbled to be on the receiving end of so much of it.
This month there’s nothing new. We’ve done enough. We are enough. We have enough.
August is for integration, for peace, for enjoying these final summer days.
If you have a few moments to spare this month, please consider responding to this small survey which I’ll use to intentionally improve this letter and my offerings in the year to come. Constructive feedback is so welcome.
P.S. Emails & names are collected because on August 31 I’ll enter them in a randomizer and one person will be gifted a one hour private coaching session with me about your writing and/or yoga practice(s). Option to give it as a gift if you’re not into it for yourself.
Practice
This month I’m naming an intention for my wild & precious life. A practice theme if you will; goals around which to orient my hours for the next 30 days. Otherwise, time slips by and flurrying activity sweeps me away from myself and what I want. What I need.
After much reflection and carving out lots of free time for myself, I’ve landed on Restore & Explore.
What could your August theme be?
Need help figuring it out? Here’s a quick journaling exercise to help you get there:
How are you feeling these days?
If you had an entire free day to yourself, what would you do?
What general theme(s) emerged above? Do they align with what you deep down want and need?
Name it. Write it down on your mirror or in your phone. Tell a friend to keep you accountable. Let it be your anchor & guide.
Option to let us know in the comments below!
And as always, here’s our recorded yoga & meditation library to support you anytime, anywhere.
Loving Lately
August is my birthday month, so we’re doing a LOTTT of loving.
I’m writing: on my typewriter! I’m typing up all the poems from my journals over the past year to prepare for a new collection, which is in the works with my mentor, writer Jimmy Santiago Baca (from the retreat!)!!!!!!! Still pinching myself. Stay tuned!
I’m reading: Women Who Run with the Wolves (again, it’s my annual revisit); all of Fariha Róisín’s latest newsletters (on mornings, boundaries, making art and money, and witches); Mary Oliver; my own work (see above)
I’m watching: fellow Richmond alumn Dave (FX, Hulu); any film taking place on a train (Murder on the Orient Express, From Russia with Love) before I travel on Amtrak from DC to California later this month!
Sending you lots of light and love this month and always. Reach out anytime; simply hit reply.