Maybe Mindfulness IS the Answer (Issue #25)
This week’s theme is “the little things” – how shifting focus to smaller pleasures, pieces of history, and daily joys can enhance our lives in big ways.
Hi friends!
Before we jump into our regular programming, I want to acknowledge the immense tragedy we’ve witnessed unfold in Israel and Gaza over the past few weeks. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how important it is to not only stay engaged but to do so by working to understand the root causes and history of this region, alongside the Palestinians and Israelis that currently call it home.
As you may or may not know, I’ve been involved with high school debate as either a student or a coach for more than a decade. If you’re unfamiliar, every couple of months there’s a new topic that everyone has to research and write positions on both sides for. And with each new topic we received, there was always a dominant belief or perspective that seemed like it would be the obvious winner. But, without fail, the topic inevitably became more nuanced when supplemented with adequate research and historical context.
What feels essential now is that we work diligently to educate ourselves and think critically as we work to support the humanity of ALL people. I deeply believe that all humans deserve dignity, safety, and security. I believe murder and oppression are always unjust, and I hope for us to build a world where these atrocities don’t happen. Period. Currently, Palestinians in Gaza are without recourse, with no safe place to go as their homes are under attack. If you have the means, I highly encourage donations to The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, an organization delivering medical relief as well as access to essential resources like food and clean water to civilians in Gaza.
Israeli people are still mourning the deaths of those killed by Hamas on October 7th. Worldwide, Muslim and Jewish people are facing increasing violence due to Islamaphobia and antisemitism. It all may feel complicated and overwhelming, but we must not turn away, and we must continue to center the human rights, dignity, safety, and security of ALL people.
People are scared to speak up on this issue and that should be concerning to us. It's concerning to me. I unequivocally support the protection of every person’s human rights. No one deserves to be murdered. Everyone is deserving of justice. People are never "collateral damage". Genocide is never justified.
I highly recommend you check out this Instagram post for a good example of how dominant narratives are shaping public discourse around this developing conflict. Also, spend some time with this post, written by @mattxiv, who is both Jewish and critical of the Israeli government’s violence against Palestinians. Finally, you can contact your representatives here to ask them to support a resolution by Rep. Cori Bush calling for a ceasefire in Palestine/Israel, and beginning U.S. humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
For today’s issue, I wanted to focus on a piece of mindfulness that has really shaped my life for the better. It’s all about focusing on the little things – small ways to improve your life, tiny acts of gratitude, everyday tools to bring joy into the mundane, etc. Enjoy!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
I know how frustrating paywalls are! When possible, I’ll try to offer gift links through my subscriptions to support access to high-quality journalism.
The New York Times: Checking Email? You’re Probably Not Breathing. (gift link) by Alisha Haridsani Gupta
This article discusses screen apnea, a phenomenon where people unconsciously hold their breath while doing digital tasks. It’s a condition with harmful physical consequences, and this article gives concrete tips on how to mindfully keep tech apnea from happening to you.
I know I’ve raved about this podcast before, but in case you missed it, One Year takes a social/political/historical analysis of the U.S. and shrinks the scope by focusing on the events of just one year each season. The newest season is still coming out week by week and focuses on 1955. I’m really excited to see how the full season unfolds, and I highly recommend you check it out!
YouTube: The REAL Reason Kourtney is so Mad at Kim by Bluecentric
It is no secret that I absolutely love reality TV – it is one of my favorite things to indulge in. That said, of course, I’ve been following the Kourtney + Kim drama closely, and I found this video essay to be a really interesting analysis of everything that’s unfolded so far. Love them or hate them, The Kardashians really changed what reality TV even was, and for that, I’ll always tune in.
Bustle: “Scavenger Hunt” Walks Are Here To Spice Up Your Steps by Carolyn Steber
This trend started on TikTok, and is a great way to add excitement to your normal walk. The article even gives a number of good scavenger hunt objectives to get you started!
A reflection + action for your week. Compete on your own or with friends – I dare ya!
Truth - List ten things you’re grateful for, BUT for each list item, try to think of a smaller and smaller thing. For example, I might start at one being grateful for my cats, and number two grateful for my home, but by the time I get to the end of my list I will focus on much smaller things like the way the light shines through my window at exactly 10:30 am in October, or the bird I saw on my walk a few days ago.
Dare - Think of something that you really love but only experience on special occasions (i.e. a favorite dessert, conversations with people you don’t see often, events your only attend a few times a year, etc). Next, think of ways you can adapt this special experience into a smaller, more daily undertaking. For example, this past summer I fell in love with sipping espresso at Italian cafes while on my honeymoon. To incorporate this experience into my daily life, I invested in a stovetop espresso maker, and try to spend a few minutes each morning mindfully sipping my coffee.
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
I don’t own this countertop ice cream maker just yet, but it’s definitely on my holiday wishlist. What I especially love is how much control you have over the ingredients used, and you can make your very own ice cream and sorbet with whole ingredients. I always love a little sweet treat after dinner, and a personal-size sorbet or ice cream is what dreams are made of.
The ResortPass app is the perfect way to incorporate the luxury of vacations without having to go all out. Through the app, you can purchase access to pools, spas, and other amenities at hotels and resorts without having to book a stay. It’s a great resource for staycations or a little splurge between real vacations.
A few weeks ago, I went on a hunt through Amazon for the best basic closet items to round out my wardrobe. It was then that I found *this hoodie, which is actually my favorite find of the whole haul. I got the khaki color, and it’s a really perfect, true oversized fit. I especially love the wide head opening, which is really nice if you (like me) have curly hair.
Before I go, I want to give you a little preview of what paid subscribers got in their inboxes this past Monday:
This week I shared a list of questions I hand-crafted to help me learn more about the lives of my own grandparents, but you can use them for any elders in your life. Check it out here!
Have a great weekend!
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