KEEP LAUGHING 'TIL...

..things get better or easier — or simply until Election Day is over. Seriously, so much about staying sane in this life is about finding (and creating) our own PEACE. I have ‘doubled down’ on this approach to living post-home purchase. It seems like a potential house repair or renovation idea crops up on the daily. Searching for new pantry doors, garage openers and fencing solutions has consumed a substantial amount of my headspace over these last few weeks. But luckily, so has joining the MOV Hot Yoga community (*come join me for Fit45 starting in November); prioritizing self-care; and perusing local farmers’ markets for the ingredients needed to make whatever recipe I’ve stumbled upon this week.

Basically, staying in ‘balance’ is a mental and emotional state I must attempt to cultivate everyday. SPOILER ALERT: There are still moments I GREATLY miss the mark. But I do intentionally try to infuse levity into each day as much as possible, even when there’s more “clog” than “flow” happening on the inside. Lately this has meant MANY treks out in nature with my pup — gazing at the stunning fall foliage all around us. Being ALIVE is an incredible gift that goes by much too quickly. So let’s try to run…dance…sing…plus BE THE BEST we can to one another.

Also DO NOT dial back the “passion” (*read: YOUR passion) for anyone. I am talking about giving ourselves more time to appreciate all of the actions, critters and folks that feed our souls in tangent with purging ALL of those that do not. If that is writing, allow the words inside of you to pour onto the page as often as possible (while also seeking out a community to share this process with). If it is cooking, try to minimizing eating alone (so many meals taste better when they are shared). And if it is exercise (of any kind), keep your body MOVING alongside others, frequently, if possible. That is one of the reasons I am now doing the Madison Marathon on Nov.10. (BIG THANKS to Zentoes for generously covering my registration fee.) Do I feel totally ready to finish a 26.2 mile race in less than 6 hours? Since the last one I dd in 2022 was brutal = NOPE. However, I was also apprehensive about the last half marathon I ran in May, then I ended up logging some of my fastest distance times ever. I probably still won’t feel ready at the start that morning, but I will be there!

As for now, my next destination is: MY BED. But before I crawl under the covers and read a few pages of “None but the Righteous” by Chantel James, I need to give my face a little TLC (= remove my makeup before applying a few nourishing drops of La Canneberge Cranberry Beauty Oil). Think I only have had it for about 72 hours, yet I am already a fan. Maybe because its scent helps me to relax pre-slumber. Essentially the opposite effect of my Fall 2024 playlist that I’ll definitely be using to boost my “Monday Mood” in the AM. Hope it sparks a few notes of JOY for you too! ~Rachel