👉🏽 LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER 🤸🏽♀️ There are still a few spots left in this month’s writing workshop. The theme is “Anticipating Sunrises,” - I’d sincerely love to see you. Register here (Sunday, 3/28, 10am - 12pm PST).
👉🏽 Next Sober from Bullshit Recovery Club :: Storytelling Edition is April 7. Register here.
Guess how many times I’ve watched this. GO AHEAD. GUESS:
Hey y’all, it’s Friday yet again. We made it to another one.
If you are currently working with any joy practices (you know, like watching and re-watching Gabby the Papillon slay her agility course)- however humble - drop them in the comments. It’s been a dark and heavy few weeks and I am looking for ways to call in joy, not as a way to bypass our collective pain, but to consider how it might walk along in tandem.
I’ve also been revisiting a poem inspired by Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese” that was buzzing around the internet around this time last year. I’m thinking about our tender and furtive and shy reemergences back out into the world, and how twisted and awful it is to be met with the return of mass shootings and another onslaught of voter suppression measures and the unique pain of making it this far only to be met with so much continued heartache.
I’m thinking about all of this, and I’m thinking about our own individual grief and loss, and I’m holding it and us so close to my heart.
In love and solidarity, tuya dani
MARY OLIVER FOR CORONA TIMES (THOUGHTS AFTER THE POEM WILD GEESE)
You do not have to become totally zen, You do not have to use this isolation to make your marriage better, your body slimmer, your children more creative. You do not have to “maximize its benefits” By using this time to work even more, write the bestselling Corona Diaries, Or preach the gospel of ZOOM. You only have to let the soft animal of your body unlearn everything capitalism has taught you, (That you are nothing if not productive, That consumption equals happiness, That the most important unit is the single self. That you are at your best when you resemble an efficient machine).
Tell me about your fictions, the ones you’ve been sold, the ones you sheepishly sell others, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world as we know it is crumbling. Meanwhile the virus is moving over the hills, suburbs, cities, farms and trailer parks. Meanwhile The News barks at you, harsh and addicting, Until the push of the remote leaves a dead quiet behind, a loneliness that hums as the heart anchors. Meanwhile a new paradigm is composing itself in our minds, Could birth at any moment if we clear some space From the same tired hegemonies. Remember, you are allowed to be still as the white birch, Stunned by what you see, Uselessly shedding your coils of paper skins Because it gives you something to do. Meanwhile, on top of everything else you are facing, Do not let capitalism coopt this moment, laying its whistles and train tracks across your weary heart. Even if your life looks nothing like the Sabbath, Your stress boa-constricting your chest. Know that your antsy kids, your terror, your shifting moods, Your need for a drink have every right to be here, And are no less sacred than a yoga class. Whoever you are, no matter how broken, the world still has a place for you, calls to you over and over announcing your place as legit, as forgiven, even if you fail and fail and fail again. remind yourself over and over, all the swells and storms that run through your long tired body all have their place here, now in this world. It is your birthright to be held deeply, warmly in the family of things, not one cell left in the cold.
💃🏻 Colombian women to party away as men face curfew night: “The women-only night and voluntary curfew for men aims to be a symbolic event and a moment of reflection for the authorities, state institutions and society about the high levels of domestic violence and the role of men in society,” said Yamid Saldana, one of the project’s coordinators and press manager at Corpovisionarios, a Bogota-based think-tank that is promoting the initiative.
🥀 For some beauty: The Discomfort and Difficulty of Attention “To pay attention has an actual cost. It requires us to trace the brittle edges of our connections to other people. To witness their pain and have them witness ours; to wait and gather ourselves together to hear what’s coming next. What’s striking then is not only how completely comprehensible it is that attention is always in crisis, characterized as it is by silence, waiting, and recognition, but how absolutely necessary it is. Attention is the word that reminds us of the painful reality of existence—to always be waiting and inextricably stretching outward to see and be seen.”
🪐 After getting my MFA, I have sworn off book clubs, but if anyone wants to read this book together, I’d be hella down.
🧘🏽♀️ Corporate Mindfulness Programs Are An Abomination - this was a cathartic little ride: “From a public perception standpoint, being associated with mindfulness and meditation—and then letting everybody know about it via TED Talks, conferences, interviews, webinars, blog posts, podcast episodes, stories, fleets, reels, and whatever comes next—helps support the innovative, forward-thinking facade.”
❌ Making Self-Care Tactical — Why You Should Focus on Boundaries, Not Just Bubble Baths A couple of quotes from this helpful, concrete guide: “Sometimes self-care might look like taking a bath. And sometimes self-care might look like speaking up, erecting boundaries, being assertive and holding yourself accountable.” (Boundaries talk is my love language btw) Another one: “…everyone has access to self-care. It's not just about what you spend your money on, it's also about how you invest your time, your effort and your energy into meaningful work.”
Thank you so much for being a part of this community. If you like this newsletter, please consider leaving a comment, sending it to a friend or subscribing. Or email me and say hi, I’d love to hear from you.
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35 // life being life-y
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Real quick:
👉🏽 LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER 🤸🏽♀️ There are still a few spots left in this month’s writing workshop. The theme is “Anticipating Sunrises,” - I’d sincerely love to see you. Register here (Sunday, 3/28, 10am - 12pm PST).
👉🏽 Next Sober from Bullshit Recovery Club :: Storytelling Edition is April 7. Register here.
Guess how many times I’ve watched this. GO AHEAD. GUESS:
Hey y’all, it’s Friday yet again. We made it to another one.
If you are currently working with any joy practices (you know, like watching and re-watching Gabby the Papillon slay her agility course)- however humble - drop them in the comments. It’s been a dark and heavy few weeks and I am looking for ways to call in joy, not as a way to bypass our collective pain, but to consider how it might walk along in tandem.
I’ve also been revisiting a poem inspired by Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese” that was buzzing around the internet around this time last year. I’m thinking about our tender and furtive and shy reemergences back out into the world, and how twisted and awful it is to be met with the return of mass shootings and another onslaught of voter suppression measures and the unique pain of making it this far only to be met with so much continued heartache.
I’m thinking about all of this, and I’m thinking about our own individual grief and loss, and I’m holding it and us so close to my heart.
In love and solidarity,
tuya
dani
MARY OLIVER FOR CORONA TIMES
(THOUGHTS AFTER THE POEM WILD GEESE)
You do not have to become totally zen,
You do not have to use this isolation to make your marriage better,
your body slimmer, your children more creative.
You do not have to “maximize its benefits”
By using this time to work even more,
write the bestselling Corona Diaries,
Or preach the gospel of ZOOM.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body unlearn
everything capitalism has taught you,
(That you are nothing if not productive,
That consumption equals happiness,
That the most important unit is the single self.
That you are at your best when you resemble an efficient machine).
Tell me about your fictions, the ones you’ve been sold,
the ones you sheepishly sell others,
and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world as we know it is crumbling.
Meanwhile the virus is moving over the hills,
suburbs, cities, farms and trailer parks.
Meanwhile The News barks at you, harsh and addicting,
Until the push of the remote leaves a dead quiet behind,
a loneliness that hums as the heart anchors.
Meanwhile a new paradigm is composing itself in our minds,
Could birth at any moment if we clear some space
From the same tired hegemonies.
Remember, you are allowed to be still as the white birch,
Stunned by what you see,
Uselessly shedding your coils of paper skins
Because it gives you something to do.
Meanwhile, on top of everything else you are facing,
Do not let capitalism coopt this moment,
laying its whistles and train tracks across your weary heart.
Even if your life looks nothing like the Sabbath,
Your stress boa-constricting your chest.
Know that your antsy kids, your terror, your shifting moods,
Your need for a drink have every right to be here,
And are no less sacred than a yoga class.
Whoever you are, no matter how broken,
the world still has a place for you, calls to you over and over
announcing your place as legit, as forgiven,
even if you fail and fail and fail again.
remind yourself over and over,
all the swells and storms that run through your long tired body
all have their place here, now in this world.
It is your birthright to be held
deeply, warmly in the family of things,
not one cell left in the cold.
By Adrie Suzanne Kusserow
⛓ ‘s :
🖥 I think one of the things that most freaks me out about the handful of Silicon Valley brains who make decisions that ripple out into terrible societal effects is how devoid of humanity they seem to be.
💅🏽 If the headline doesn’t get you, can you just trust me on this one? Everyone is Beautiful and No One Is Horny
💃🏻 Colombian women to party away as men face curfew night: “The women-only night and voluntary curfew for men aims to be a symbolic event and a moment of reflection for the authorities, state institutions and society about the high levels of domestic violence and the role of men in society,” said Yamid Saldana, one of the project’s coordinators and press manager at Corpovisionarios, a Bogota-based think-tank that is promoting the initiative.
🛍 For some sweetness and nostalgia: The Florida Mall of My Youth is Now My Mother's Vaccination Site “At the time of my mother's first appointment, the state had no unified process for securing appointments. Our county is using Eventbrite and a mall.”
🥀 For some beauty: The Discomfort and Difficulty of Attention “To pay attention has an actual cost. It requires us to trace the brittle edges of our connections to other people. To witness their pain and have them witness ours; to wait and gather ourselves together to hear what’s coming next. What’s striking then is not only how completely comprehensible it is that attention is always in crisis, characterized as it is by silence, waiting, and recognition, but how absolutely necessary it is. Attention is the word that reminds us of the painful reality of existence—to always be waiting and inextricably stretching outward to see and be seen.”
🪐 After getting my MFA, I have sworn off book clubs, but if anyone wants to read this book together, I’d be hella down.
🧘🏽♀️ Corporate Mindfulness Programs Are An Abomination - this was a cathartic little ride: “From a public perception standpoint, being associated with mindfulness and meditation—and then letting everybody know about it via TED Talks, conferences, interviews, webinars, blog posts, podcast episodes, stories, fleets, reels, and whatever comes next—helps support the innovative, forward-thinking facade.”
💼 All Career Advice for Women Is a Form of Gaslighting. Sigh.
❌ Making Self-Care Tactical — Why You Should Focus on Boundaries, Not Just Bubble Baths A couple of quotes from this helpful, concrete guide: “Sometimes self-care might look like taking a bath. And sometimes self-care might look like speaking up, erecting boundaries, being assertive and holding yourself accountable.” (Boundaries talk is my love language btw) Another one: “…everyone has access to self-care. It's not just about what you spend your money on, it's also about how you invest your time, your effort and your energy into meaningful work.”
💍 This is weird and wonderful and I want to eat everything Mary H.K. Choi writes, ever.
🔭 It took over a decade and 1,000 hours of photography to create this picture of the Milky Way aaaaaaand it took me about 30 seconds to start crying in awe and wonder.
Thank you so much for being a part of this community. If you like this newsletter, please consider leaving a comment, sending it to a friend or subscribing. Or email me and say hi, I’d love to hear from you.