THE GOOD STUFF
Welcome back to The Good Stuff. I’m having a lot of fun pulling these together for you every few weeks! Keep sending me what’s lighting you up, let me know by hitting reply to this email. As we enter September, what's your autumn pleasure?
Here’s what I’m into this month…
Quench
Did we really need to make water more “DUDE?” Probably not, but I admit that when you can’t bring your bottle, drinking water out of a can is kind of a pleasant experience. With heading to a slew of concerts in the last few weeks I’ve tried a whole bunch of stadium/arena food and drink and believe it or not, water out of a cold can, tastes pretty damn good. I’m not a water connoisseur, it all tastes pretty much the same. But I do like the stability and ease of storage of a case of canned water versus a case of bottles and of course, yes, let’s just stop using plastic where other creative solutions can be found. I heard that Liquid Death was Brat summer and that’s cool. I guess it’s over, but I’m Veruca Salt all year long. Here, hold my water. Cringe.
Blend
If it is possible to crack the code of foundation in your late 40’s, then yes, I’ve done it. And if it hadn’t been for a random Instagram ad, I never would have figured it out. It has been years since I’ve made late night purchases on my phone. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was so stressed out I would wake up to order confirmation emails with no memory of buying anything. I guess I was sleep shopping? Is that a thing? Well if it is, I was really, really good at it. So good, I had to move my phone far away from my nightstand. Not sure if this was a bit of a relapse but the other night after watching Jennie Garth, aka Kelly Taylor apply a powder foundation to her face, I took a chance on a Laura Gellar baked foundation for 50% off. To my complete surprise, Jennie was right! It does go on smoothly, it doesn't cake or get stuck in creases and it blends really, really well. It’s not a heavy foundation, but it gives a healthy glow and enough coverage to make it look like I’m trying. The shades overall are on the golden side regardless of hue and the foundation itself definitely gives a golden sun kissed look. Not sure how well the shades would work for people outside of warmer climates, unless you want that just back from vacation look year round.
Listen
We took the kid to their first official concert a few weeks ago and it was perfect. My first concert was Poison/Warrant at Nassau Coliseum and the lead singer of Warrant pulled down his pants and was arrested on stage for indecent exposure. So, there’s that. The bar for good first concert experiences was set high or low, depending upon how you look at the situation. I’m happy to say that the kid’s first official concert was the Foo Fighters! How cool to have your first concert experience be with a twice inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer? And also that other guy from Nirvana! At 55 it is hard to believe that Dave Grohl is not in his prime. Um, he certainly looks it - did y'all see those pics of him at Wimbledon?! His voice continues to have incredible range. He can easily go from a full on grunge scream, to a delicate ballad. His energy is contagious and it is easy to see that he loves his job more than anyone else alive. At 65, guitarist Pat Smear, originally of the Germs, then Nirvana, embodies the definition of contentment. Just to watch him play brings joy. The whole band is great, including new drummer Josh Freese. Within the first 20 minutes they played every song we were hoping to hear including a few deep cuts we doubted they would play. My favorite is here.
Protect
I reached out to socials a few months ago to see what kind of sunscreen everyone was using. Typically my skin hates sunscreen, especially my face. It tends to dry it out, sweat off, and pill under my makeup. Ew. My friend Meg from NY recommended this brand made for sensitive and rosacea prone skin. EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 has been in steady rotation the entire summer and it has held up! Looks great under makeup, goes on easy over serums, stays put during a workout without feeling like your skin can’t breath and the light tint is perfect for when you just want to run out without makeup on.
Write
I can't pass up the opportunity to discuss school supplies. I’m obsessed with pens, pencils, notebooks and erasers! I’ve been using this gel roller pen from Sharpie to write hundreds of postcards on behalf of Postcards to Swing States. Probably more pen than you need for basic note taking, but when it comes to sending good old fashioned snail mail, Sharpie permanence goes a long way.
What are you about this month? I'd love to give it a try!
xxx
LAS
Hi Friends! A quick note, I have updated my calendar for fall/winter Human Design Readings and Mentorship Interviews! Hit the buttons below to access my calendar to set up a full guided Reading or to schedule a fun chat to learn more about entering Mentorship with me.
NEW MOON
9-3-24
Virgo
Gate 64: The Gate of Confusion
As we approach the New Moon in Virgo on September 3, 2024, we are poised at a threshold of introspection and refinement. Virgo, the practical and analytical Earth sign, governs this lunar phase, emphasizing themes of organization, attention to detail, and self-improvement. This celestial event occurs in the 6th House, highlighting areas related to health, daily routines, and our approach to service and efficiency.
Virgo, ruled by Mercury, encourages us to methodically examine our lives and discern where improvements can be made. It prompts us to focus on practicality, precision, and the quest for perfection in our endeavors. This New Moon invites us to initiate new habits, routines, and systems that promote efficiency and well-being in our daily lives.
Paired with Gate 64, The Gate of Confusion in Human Design, this New Moon adds a layer of contemplation and introspection. Gate 64 invites us to embrace moments of confusion as opportunities for growth and insight. It challenges us to question existing structures and beliefs, encouraging us to seek clarity and understanding amidst uncertainty.
This New Moon in Virgo and Gate 64 invites us to navigate through confusion by refining our thought processes, organizing our inner and outer worlds, and cultivating a mindset of continuous improvement and adaptation.
Journal Prompts to Deepen Your New Moon Experience
1. Reflect on your daily routines: Are your routines supporting your well-being and productivity? What adjustments can you make to enhance efficiency and effectiveness?
2. Explore areas of confusion or uncertainty: What aspects of your life feel unclear or chaotic? How can you approach these areas with a methodical and analytical mindset to find clarity?
3. Evaluate your approach to perfectionism: How does your pursuit of perfection impact your productivity and self-esteem? How can you strive for excellence while maintaining a healthy balance?
4. Contemplate new habits or systems: What new habits or organizational systems can you implement to improve your daily life? How can these changes contribute to your overall sense of well-being and fulfillment?
Use the energy of this New Moon in Virgo and Gate 64 to initiate practical changes, refine your routines, and seek clarity amidst confusion. Embrace the opportunity for growth and transformation as you align with the precision and analytical nature of Virgo while navigating the insights offered by Gate 64 in Human Design.
SOLAR TRANSIT
9-3-2024
Gate 64
The Gate of Confusion
On September 3, the sun gracefully transits Gate 64, the Gate of Confusion. During this celestial transit, you are invited to embark on a journey of mental processing and insight. Gate 64 encourages a deep exploration of your ability to navigate confusion and turn it into clarity, allowing you to channel your energies into making sense of complex thoughts and experiences.
The energy of Gate 64 advocates for embracing the uncertainty and mental chaos that often precedes clarity. It is a time to allow your mind to wander through the maze of thoughts and ideas, trusting that the process will eventually lead to understanding. This gate emphasizes the importance of patience and openness to the mental struggle, as it is through this process that new insights and perspectives are born.
However, this energy comes with its own challenges. Those experiencing the transit of Gate 64 may struggle with feelings of mental overwhelm or frustration. The urge to find immediate answers or to avoid confusion altogether can be strong. It is crucial to recognize that the power of Gate 64 lies in its ability to foster patience and trust in the process of mental clarity. By resisting the urge to rush through confusion, you can harness the full potential of this gate’s energy.
To enhance the frequency of Gate 64, cultivate practices that support mental reflection and relaxation. Engage in activities such as meditation, free writing, or any method that helps you process thoughts without judgment. This period is ideal for allowing your mind to explore and connect seemingly unrelated ideas. By embracing confusion, you create a space for profound insights and innovative thinking.
Gate 64 tasks you with the opportunity to develop mental resilience and insightful perception. It is a reminder that true understanding often emerges from the depths of confusion and that the mind’s journey through chaos can lead to breakthroughs. This gate also provides a chance to reflect on how you can use your mental explorations to support and inspire others. Consider how your ability to navigate confusion can positively influence those around you.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Reflect on your relationship with confusion: How comfortable are you with mental uncertainty and not having immediate answers? Consider how these moments of confusion can lead to deeper insights.
2. Explore your patience with mental processing: Are there areas in your life where you tend to rush through confusion? Reflect on how you can cultivate more patience and trust in your mental journey.
3. Contemplate your thinking patterns: How can you use this period of mental exploration to connect and integrate diverse ideas? Consider the steps you need to take to allow your thoughts to evolve naturally.
4. Consider your impact on others: How does your ability to navigate confusion influence those around you? Reflect on how you can support others with your mental resilience and innovative thinking.
By aligning with the energy of Gate 64, you can enhance your capacity for mental clarity, resilience, and insightful perception. This transit offers a valuable opportunity to embrace confusion and use it as a foundation for innovative and profound understanding.
NEW PROMPT!!
Do you know about Tapping? It can be an effective addition to energy work and nervous system regulation. Many of my Mentorship clients include Tapping as part of their daily ritual. You can learn more about Tapping and how to do it by hitting the button bellow.
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though it makes me anxious to sit with confusion and not have immediate answers, I now trust that patience and mental exploration bring great moments of insight and alignment, and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Have a great week exploring these transits! Ready to learn more about your Human Design? Hit the buttons below to schedule a reading with me and download the free Human Design information sheets to learn more!
THE CREATIVE
Twice a month I share quotes from the books, Art is the Highest Form of Hope and The Creative Act. I find perspectives on the creative process to be so meta when it comes to life. We are a creative process and everything we do is subject to the same rules. Creation is non-linear. It's messy. It moves forward and backward. And also gets stuck. Often times we do not realize the purpose of a singular creative process until years later. Creativity likes to surprise us.
“There is a gap between imagination and reality.” - Rick Rubin
How I wish this weren’t true. The crisis of the creative often revolves around this thorny fact. A reckoning of sorts between what we can see as possible in our mind’s eye and what we are able to create in the physical 3D realm. I often wonder if this is the root of fear we face as creatives. Before we even start, knowing that whatever the idea, inspiration, or endeavor, the final result, if we are lucky, will only come close to what we envisioned.
I think this makes creatives inherently optimistic. The drive to overcome this fact each and every single time a note is sung, a line is placed upon a paper is an endless endeavor. For many, we tend to put this struggle aside. If it is so, then so be it. We continue anyway believing that even closeness counts. Because that’s as close as we can get.
What do you think?
Oooh Lisa, you’re on Substack! Yay!
That EltaMD tinted sunscreen is my fave too!