Keep LOOKING...

…for the GOOD that’s already surrounding you. And if you have the means to share a morsel of that positivity with others, then do NOT hold back. The amount of uncertainty swirling around at the moment (on a global scale) may slowly be chipping away at our ability to find PEACE and JOY. Or at least that’s the subconscious SQUEEZE on my psyche I’ve been trying to depressurize for the last few weeks. We spend so much time focused on how to “fix” our communities, country, business, partner, children or — ourselves. However, the crucial step of TENDING often gets skipped in the process. Tending necessitates CARE. So I invite you to pause for a moment today to reflect on how much energy you are actually putting toward holistic care for yourself and others. Step #1 for me at the beginning of this month was to take a proper vacation with my kiddo. The result was a short jaunt to Florida filled with sun, runs and a plethora of iced coffee. We also missed the (*almost*) final big snowfall in Minnesota this winter (*which neither of us was the least bit sad about).

Coming home was a gradual transition back into tasks that needed my attention immediately, along with those that will stretch on for several months. To say my focus has been divided more days than not is an understatement teetering upon the edge of a blatant lie. My writing has been coming in frenzied spurts, whereas the yoga quadrant of my brain is FIRED UP. Lately I’ve felt so ALIVE when I’ve been teaching and practicing. And I am looking forward to revealing how this moving meditation supports my ability to do long-distance running in the Yoga for Runners workshop I am leading at MÖV Hot Yoga in Uptown Minneapolis on Saturday, April 5.

Additionally, I have gradually gotten back into ‘filling in the gaps’ around my new home. GoodCook recently sent me much needed kitchenware which is ridiculously easy to clean and a shade of blue that I absolutely adore. Plus a “special delivery” from Milo and Mimi arrived just in time for my recent trip. The Cosmetic Bag created by this brand was exactly what I needed to get my makeup and skincare properly stored for travel, as well as kept organized and easily accessible (sans spillage) once we arrived at the resort.

I am already looking forward to the next journey this functional, chic accessory will accompany me on. But I don’t have any major travel plans for this year locked down yet — especially since I’ll be staying closer to home as the Spring Cohort of PocketMFA kicks of May 3. I’ll have the honor of facilitating Lighthouse Writing Workshop’s Writing In Color Meet-up that month too. Ironically, only two days ago, the outdoor temps here felt vastly more ‘May-like’ instead of ‘March-ish.’ Then, this afternoon, it snowed for about fours hours. (= Grateful my Winter 2025 playlist is still toward the top of my Spotify cue.)

Two audiobooks also under my ‘recents’ tab are my current listen: “The Persians” by Sanam Mahloudji and Renée Watson’s “Skin & Bones” (*which I “binge-listened” to). I equally struggled the night before last to not stay up ‘til sunrise to finish “The Soul of a Woman” by Isabel Allende — a “mini-memoir” I now think every woman aged 35 and up should read. (Yes, it’s that marvelous!) And because life is much too short to merely dwell in the mediocre. Let’s strive for more of what fills, as well as STRETCHES, our minds and hearts. ~Rachel