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Aloha fellow learn-it-all 👋
Greetings from Honolulu
There’s no denying it. It’s been a tough week. Everything is piling up on all ends. I’m sharing this as a reminder to you (and to myself) to remember to rest. Let’s not burn the candle at both ends. Hang in there folks!
As my dad always tells me, a nap is always a good idea.
In other news, I took a collage course on Sunday and created this:
I channeled in my energy for this last month of the year. Many extraneous thoughts went into each layer of this piece of art. Instead of overanalyzing and sharing all that it was, I’ll let you take it in for what you see. (I’m curious what that is if you don’t mind sharing in comments or in response to this email).
This collage was a hoot and a half. Don’t you go become a worrywart now— I’m going to do more of these.
Now, let’s dive into letter 187 from a learn-it-all. Enjoy!
🤔 Reflecting
Continuing on my ritual of my “In and Out” lists this year, here’s mine for December:
🎉 Fifteen things I’m celebrating from November
- Starting to dance hula confidently each week and feeling like a top dancer in the Ami and Uwehe
- Having my first OMG moment as a book author when a fan unpromptedly asked me if I was the person who wrote that book on Hawaii, Ohana and Pure Aloha (!)
- Consistently having my stroke count of 14 strokes down the length of the pool at Masters Swim practice
- Skipping my biathlon to make sure my health was okay
- Drawing palm trees for the first time
- Sleeping in a yurt for the first time
- Canoe surfing for the first time
- Peeling lychee for the first time
- Hosting my friend Amanda for two weeks and the many fun adventures together in the mountains, ocean, and with the albatross.
- Facilitating thoughtful conversations on Friendsgiving that gave me the courage to share my unfiltered musings
- The grace that I wrote and have been continuously sharing with friends before eating together
- Sharing poems with people that I care about. Passion is for People.
- Getting all my Christmas shopping done in November
- Finding a coconut to drink from on the island for the first time
- Going solo to a wedding
📜🖋 Poetry Corner
(1) Poem from Jen Vermet
May 23, 2023 Newsletter on 🥱 Entering a season of rest
🕯️Burning the candle at both ends
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedWhy do I do this to myself?
I jump with joy saying hell yes!
The dates miraculously align
But doubt comes as exhaustion follows
I enjoy designing my life
Around things that I love to do
But what about rest?
That is needed too.
Burning the candle at both ends
Will inevitably burn you.
(2) Poem from Mary Oliver
Page 176 of Mary Oliver’s “Devotion” Compilation from “Why I Wake Early” in 2004
🌼 Daisies
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedIt is possible, I suppose, that sometime
we will learn everything
there is to learn: what the world is, for example,
and what it means. I think this is I am crossing
from one field to another, in summer, and the
mockingbird is mocking me, as one who either
knows enough already or knows enough to be
perfectly content not knowing. Song being born
of quest he knows this: he must turn silent
were he suddenly assaulted with answers. Instead…
🎧Listening
Banks by NEEDTOBREATHE
I wanna be there when the voices in your head
Are loud enough to make you lose your mind
Just the same when you're dominating the day
I wanna be the one who's by your side
You know my love is not the jealous type
It doesn't matter if we win or lose
Oh, I could stay or I could come no matter where you're coming from
I can be the one to let you choose
I wanna hold you close but never hold you back
Just like the banks to the river
(Oh) And if you ever feel like you are not enough
I'm gonna break all your mirrors
(Oh) I wanna be there when the darkness closes in
To make the truth a little clearer
(Oh) I wanna hold you close but never hold you back
I'll be the banks for your river
🌟Quote to inspire
“Relax. Your rumination, analysis, worry, and need to control the future are robbing you of the current moment. Yes, there is time for preparation, but continually thinking of the future guarantees you’ll never enjoy in the present.”
—James Clear
📸Photo of the Week
Collaging is cool! And fun!
I appreciate you reading this!
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Keep on learning 😁
Mahalo 🌺
Jen
Ps - in case you missed last week’s, I shared my unfiltered musings
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