Hello, January and hello, 2022 and hello, you. I don’t know where to start or end, am feeling like this January Note at the start of the new year should be momentous, like I should have something, well, momentous to say. Except I don’t. All I can think about is stillness. One of our prompts in December’s Just Five Things was stillness. Our theme for December’s The Quiet Page was stillness. The theme for my local, in-person Winter Solstice Workshop was stillness. Stillness is very much on my heart. Having said that, I'd like to share a sliver of what I shared with the lovely ladies of J5T a few weeks ago. I hope this will feel just right as we step into 2022 together. |
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There’s a certain reverence I feel with the word stillness. It’s a word (sentiment) (way of being) experienced in the hush of a day and lived in the pauses and in-betweens. I always wish to write carefully about such prompts, not wanting to muddy the beauty of such words (ways of being) with my own thoughts and experiences. I will say this… We have stillness within ourselves, and it is available anytime we need it. We might forget the stillness is there, might feel timid about stepping into this space as we make our way through a world that values the other end of the spectrum. But stillness is what sustains and nourishes us. Stillness is where we come center and redirect (or relinquish) efforts. Stillness is where we tap into our true nature. |
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As we begin a new calendar year, I invite you to step into the quiet spaces of your heart and mind—on this first day and on the days that follow. Gift yourself moments of stillness (moments of slow) as often as you can. There is sweetness to be found in stillness. 2021 (and 2020) have left many of us needing a salve for the heart. Stillness is a salve. Stillness will not erase your troubles, and it will not solve the world’s problems. But it will create quieter spaces from which you can move and grow. It will help you do what you need to do from a place of more ease. In my heart, I believe everything ripples from there. On this first day of this new year, I invite you to start with stillness. Dip into the stillness that already lies within, and cultivate reserves for possible bumps and busyness ahead. Smooth the salve of stillness over your entire being. Let it be your beginning. Then watch how things ripple from there. |
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with all my love and sending wishes for a gentle year, |
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on the nightstand The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik is the sequel to the book I mentioned last month, A Deadly Education. I liked the sequel even better! (thanks again, D) No Cure for Being Human (And Other Truths I Need to Hear) by Kate Bowler in the kitchen I'm not a huge fan of salads in the winter but, lately, I'm really loving arugula. Here's a quick dressing I love on arugula (also good on spring mixes, even spinach). Maple Vinaigrette 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon maple syrup (also good without) ½ teaspoon Dijoin mustard Toss in any other veggies you like, maybe a sprinkle of sunflower seeds, maybe a grind of fresh pepper, maybe a few crumbles of goat cheese. Delicious!
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join me for The Quiet Page |
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january 19, 2022 | 2-3:15pm ET January's theme is
Start close, Start center. You can read details about class and register here or Class size is limited to 10 participants. Join us as we circle together and talk, laugh, sometimes cry, meditate, write, dream, explore.
It's really kind of wonderful. Have questions? Hit reply to this email and let me know! |
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I'm glad you're still reading because here's a quote for you |
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Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen—
that stillness becomes a radiance.
~ Morgan Freeman ~ |
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Wherever you are on this first day of January, I'm blowing kisses your way.
Be still. Be radiant. xo Happy New Year! |
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If you enjoy these Monthly Notes, I'd be super grateful if you shared them. I appreciate the shares – and YOU. |
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