Weekly Jetsam 7.9.23
i'm playing, a poem about potholes, and 2 podcasts
The sun has returned.
I ended this week on a high note after starting it very blah (see Wednesday’s newsletter for the evidence). Maybe that’s why this newsletter is making up for how short my last few Sunday ones were.
Last summer was spent planning a funeral, emptying my childhood home & readying to make it my own, and making BIG decisions about the type of life I wanted for myself. Words like fun & play were non-existent. Perhaps that’s why I am leaning so hard into those two words this year. Yesterday was the type of day that I will continue to intentionally make space for.
It started by holding my first outdoor arrive meetup. We meditated, played with our breath & bubbles, and did some guided journaling. After, my house transformed into the beach crash pad for some friends and I spent the rest of the day with my butt in the sand playing with toys, making friends with 3-year-olds, and playing with jigsaw puzzles.
I’m now committed to having a jigsaw puzzle in action during the summer. People can’t help themselves and there’s great conversation that comes out when you’re trying to make the pieces fit (pun intended). It was a day filled with good company, fun, and play.
Somethings I’m looking forward to this week:
my contracting job this summer means I get to be a part of some amazing psychology workshops and this week I get to work with Richard Schwartz and learn about Internal Family Systems this week.
dedicating some time in the afternoons this week flushing out some ideas I have for workshops I want to run later in the summer & fall
more naked Jeep Wrangler rides in the sun (the car, not me 😉)
finishing this damn Jaws puzzle
What’s on your list?
Someone shared this poem with me a few years ago & at the time it really helped put how much healing I’ve done in perspective. I heard it again at work this week and it was a great chance to pause and see what resonated with me this time. Give it a read or listen. What chapter are you currently in?
An Autobiography in Five Chapters—by Portia Nelson
I
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost … I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes me forever to find a way out.II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place
but, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in … it’s a habit.
my eyes are open
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.V
I walk down another street.
Two podcast recommendations for you today.
Second Gear Podcast: This one is a little awkward to share because it’s me? But I mentioned quickly somewhere in a past newsletter that my friend Inggrid started a podcast and interviewed me a few weeks ago. This is the episode! In fact, I share a lot about why I write this newsletter!
Knomii Podcast: I really enjoyed this interview with Georgie Jones who is a poet, actor and comedian. I found myself totally relating to the parts of the conversation about humor and the power of how we talk to ourselves.
Fun side note: Knomii is run by two friends of mine who are doing amazing things. They’ve created a Fundamentals program that covers things like self-love, acceptance, and building confidence in you.
You get 4 sessions with Cynthia and Madeline who are a powerful combo of a coach and therapist. Then you get to pick 2 workshops of your choice.
GUESS WHO IS RUNNING ONE OF THE WORKSHOPS? This kid. It’s called “Struggle to Strength: Mindfully Navigating Emotionally Challenging Days”, juicy right?
» Be a part of the ‘arrive mindful meetups’ I’m running this summer!
»Soak in summer with a little mindfulness scavenger hunt.
»Check out what I’m up to between newsletters. Follow along on Instagram.
Yay for IFS and I feel like I am having a lot of fun these days, but also getting a bit bogged down in all the planning/prep involved! My kids are big enough to have a million things to do, but not big enough to manage their own calendars yet 🤪
The biggest thing bringing ME joy these days is watching my garden grow, all the water play, and waking up early to do an apple fitness workout and feel myself get stronger. Also, those workshops sound great!