The Good Stuff
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. What's your summer pleasure?
Here’s what I’m into this month…
Watch
I have a particular appreciation for drug dramas. The Wire and Top Boy rank among my favorite series. While I find their storylines and character development captivating, it is noteworthy that neither series is written from a woman's perspective. Snabba Cash, a Swedish drama, on Netflix stands out in this regard. It focuses on the life of Leya, a businesswoman and mother navigating the dual worlds of venture capitalism and her late husband's connections to the drug trade.
The most memorable scenes in Snabba Cash are those depicting Leya's frantic transitions between the high-stakes environment of startups and the demands of raising her young son alone. The portrayal of motherhood is infused with a sense of chaos and urgency that surpasses even the life-threatening conflicts of the drug world. It is refreshing to see motherhood depicted as even more challenging than dodging stray bullets.
Read
If you are on the West Coast or planning a trip to my beautiful home state of California this summer, The California Field Atlas by Obi Kaufmann is an essential addition to your journey. Beautifully illustrated, this book provides a detailed exploration of how the state's diverse landscapes interact and influence each other. It compiles some of the author’s most insightful observations from his trilogy on California's forests, coasts, and deserts.
Whether you are heading west or simply dreaming of it, The California Field Atlas makes a perfect gift for yourself or a loved one. It offers a unique and enriching perspective on the natural beauty and complexity of California, calling you to the coast.
Listen
My kiddo has a deep passion for history, particularly politics, which has rekindled my interest in exploring humanity's past and its trajectory. As a fine arts major during my undergraduate years, my exposure to history was limited to art history courses. Consequently, I have significant gaps in my understanding of both world and United States history, and I feel the need to catch up.
The Rest is History podcast is engaging and enjoyable, and it truly ignites my curiosity. This podcast has become a valuable resource in my quest to learn more about our historical journey and the events that have shaped our present and future.
Nurture
Have you tried the double cleanse? As someone with incredibly sensitive skin and rosacea that can flare up at the slightest provocation, I was skeptical about whether double cleansing would work for me. However, I decided to give it a cautious try, and I’m thrilled that I did!
I’ve been using a wonderful set from One Love Organics. Both cleansers are exceptionally gentle on my skin, effectively removing all my sunscreen and makeup without stripping away my natural oils. Plus, they have a delightful scent. If you have sensitive skin, and are looking to hop on this trend, this double cleanse routine is definitely worth considering.
Home
These wall pockets from Odd Bird are a beautiful addition to any room, adding a burst of color and texture while offering practical storage. They are unique and tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to sign up for the newsletter to receive restock alerts. I began with just one and have since added several more. What might seem like a problem is turning out to be a solution ;)
What are you loving this month? I'd love to give it a try!
xxx
LAS
Hi Friends! A quick note, I have updated my calendar for June 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.
SOLAR TRANSIT
6-13-24
Gate 12
Gate of Caution
On June 13, the sun gracefully transverses Gate 12, the Gate ofCaution. During this celestial transit, you're invited to embark on a deeply introspective voyage of self-discovery. Gate 12 embodies the essence of artistic and emotional expression. This gate channels deep emotions into sophisticated forms of art, particularly through eloquent language. Individuals with Gate 12 are driven by an intrinsic desire to create and share beauty, art, and grace with the world, guided by an impeccable sense of aesthetic discernment.
This gate also imposes rigorous standards, often holding people, organizations, and artistic creations to exceptionally high levels of perfection. The discerning nature of Gate 12 can sometimes lead to challenges in interpersonal relationships, as its critical eye and refined taste may be perceived as elitism or arrogance.
To optimize the potential of Gate 12, it is essential to engage in artistic endeavors such as poetry and other expressive arts to process and clarify emotions. This approach is particularly effective for those with a defined Solar Plexus but remains universally beneficial. Through the disciplined practice of channeling emotions into art, individuals can achieve greater emotional clarity and contribute meaningfully to the cultural landscape.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Reflect on a recent experience where you felt a strong emotional response. How can you channel these emotions into a creative expression, such as poetry, writing, or art?
2. Consider the high standards you hold for yourself and others. How do these expectations influence your relationships and creative work? What steps can you take to balance these standards with compassion and understanding?
3. Think about a time when your words may have unintentionally provoked or challenged someone. How can you refine your communication to express your thoughts more gracefully and constructively?
4. Explore your vision of beauty and grace. How do these ideals shape your artistic expressions and everyday life? How can you use your refined taste to inspire and elevate your creative projects?
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 I fear that I am failing my life purpose, I now choose to know that I am always in the right place at the right time and can trust in the timing of things 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.
“When it comes to the creative process, patience is accepting that the majority of the work we do is out of our control.” - Rick Rubin
Yes and no.
Patience is challenging. I am not naturally a patient person, but I have learned to cultivate patience in honoring my creative process. As Rubin suggests, much of our work is beyond our control, and patience allows us to engage with our work in a more meaningful way, fostering a dialogue rather than forcing outcomes. This aspect of the creative process is crucial.
While we cannot dictate how we integrate sensory stimuli and inspiration—such as how a film seen a decade ago might influence a current project—we can maintain the momentum of this integration. Interestingly, maintaining momentum is not about patience but rather about nurturing the creative process. It is this maintenance that creates those seemingly magical moments when everything falls into place, moments I find unparalleled and continually inspiring.
Facilitating these magical moments is about consistent upkeep, which is entirely within our control. When we view creativity as energy, we can keep it flowing, leading to states of neutrality and clarity that greatly benefit our work. Although we cannot control every aspect of how the pieces come together, we can create an environment that optimizes the flow and integration of these elements. And that’s nothing short of amazing.
