The First 3 Christmas Gifts: A Little Life Encouragement
It’s been a rough year. Some of us have lost so much. Lives, livelihoods.. but dammit, we can’t lose hope. Covid has turned our world upside down, but there have also been some bright spots, like really “seeing” people.
But as the year closes, gratitude and Gift-giving are on some minds. I thought a reflection on the first “Christmas” gifts might boost us all. Who doesn’t like a gift?
I’ll start with this: the gifts given to Jesus are gifts for each of us.
My Octopus Teacher: Unexpected Siren on Love vs. Law
🕑 5 minutesOh dear, I saw My Octopus Teacher on Netflix and had such a strong reaction I had to walk–I couldn’t finish.
Like when everyone started turning to ash in Avengers: Infinity Wars. By the time Peter Parker was blowing away, I was eyeballing the Exit at the bottom of the theatre.
My Octopus Teacher was worse. It was real life.
Ok, Rewind.
Get Hard? Life Lesson from Gold
🕑 4 minutes
Imagine a child has a strict teacher and shares their struggle with the parent/caretaker. The adult may say, ‘Chin up! This experience is prepping you for the real, cruel world.’ Or maybe the parent takes action and inquires with the teacher or school.
Or maybe the parent tells the kid their presence actually helps break the cruel world–they are challenging to the teacher’s way of working/thinking.
Life throws so many hits we may be tempted to “Get Hard.”
Pick a Fight, Warrior
🕑 4 minutesNot just your health, how’s your Heart these days? <3
2020 locked our world down, and just as we’re touching streets again, the News of Yet Another police killing sets our global heart on fire.
My Dutch kids are literally watching in their classrooms what mom, grandma and grandpa have been speaking for years–not always subtle, sometimes hearts hurt too much to break it down slow.
But life has many wrecked patches. This is our human heritage.
Where do we take our stand?
Of Stars & Men: A Note on Grief, Love & Life
🕑 6 minutesPart of this blog has been about coming out about stuff. Being vulnerable, daring to share. That’s why it’s sometimes quiet– not because I’m not writing, but because I’m not posting, not letting go.
This time was different. I wasn’t writing. These are the first words penned since I lost
5 Life Hacks from a Surf Trip
🕑 5 minutesSometimes, imo, the Universe/God/Love nudges us a bit. Whether we lean in is on us (freedom, free will)–but doing so can be amazing. I gave in once to something so outside myself there was no way it was just me. In turn, I picked up deep liberation from religion and cleared massive walls I didn’t even know I built.
But it doesn’t have to be so serious, Jas..