A short video of the sunset in Tel Aviv-Yafo from my trip home last year. I remember taking this video and thinking about how special this country is. You can’t see it from this short clip, but every evening, all different walks of life take in the same sunset. Israelis, Europeans, Arabs, Ethiopians, Russians, Ukrainians, Americans all stand beside each other doing the same thing—enjoying the beauty of this earth while the call to prayer sounded across the waves from Jaffa.
My friends, this week has completely turned me upside down and inside out. I spent Monday and Tuesday breathlessly following the news and social media, and on Wednesday I cried a lot, disappointed in so many aspects of what is unfolding before us. Luckily everyone I know is safe, but it doesn’t change the fact that so many people I love and the place I call my second home have been and continue to be put in harms way. I am slowly returning back to my body, but I am utterly heartbroken. I know that this will live in me for a long time—perhaps forever. These times are not easy, and I want to extend my heart and a hug to all of you who are hurting right now.
I thought long and hard about what I’d write to you all this week (hence why this edition is coming to you so late in the day) and ultimately decided to just show up in my rawest form. So, I’m simply sharing with you a list of things that made me feel a little bit better this week.
I hope some of these things might nourish you, and perhaps inspire you to do some things that give you your own little slice of comfort.
Cacao. Lots and lots of it. As the weather cools down, I’ve been drawn to a nightly cup of cacao blended with a little raw honey, best sipped while watching something seasonal. So far, I’ve watched Twitches and Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire. Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls are on the docket.
Going to TJ Maxx (the new hot store in town) and leisurely perusing the aisles. I smelled some fall-themed candles, looked at sweaters, and ultimately bought myself a pair of ridiculously ugly-cute Hunter boots and a green sweater dress, both of which made me feel a little sunnier and lighter.
Baking. One of the things my little self used to love doing is to bake. Since living in such small quarters over the past few years (and battling a couple of depressive moments) I stopped. On Wednesday I made a simple pumpkin bread and Dan and I enjoyed it smothered in Fine + Raw dark chocolate hazelnut spread. It was really nourishing.
I drove to Moka Origins yesterday and took some self portraits along the way in the beautiful sunny weather. At Moka, I indulged in a chocolate chip cookie and a decaf mocha made with their delicious chocolate. I sat and wrote this newsletter with the sounds of roasting coffee beans behind me and watched people come in and out of the store to buy beans and chocolate.
Flowers. It brings me a lot of joy to arrange flowers. Dan bought me a beautiful bouquet at the farmer’s market this past weekend and I arranged it into a mason jar that I’ve looked at every morning this week while enjoying my coffee.
Magical horse energy. I love horses, and on my usual daily walk two days ago, I turned left instead of right which led me to a field with a beautiful horse in it. She made eye contact with me, and immediately knew I needed support. She walked with me, along her field, checking to be sure I was following her, until we met at a part of the field that I could approach her. I pet her nose and I spent a few minutes healing with her.
I’ve been taking care of my physical body as best I can. I have a lot of anxiety coursing through me physically this week, but I am trying to take it slow and give myself love. I’ve been using a blend of clove, ginger, and peppermint essential oils on my belly and diaphragm where I hold all of my tension. I’ve begun oil pulling—as challenging as it is texturally, it has become an oddly enjoyable part of my morning. I’m taking a dropper of Onda daily to keep the anxiety out of my physical body. I am also allowing myself to go with the flow and let go of the rigidity of having to do everything all at once (or anything at all, for that matter.)
I spotted two bald eagles back to back last weekend—making them the first bald eagles that I’ve ever seen in real life. One landed gracefully into a field, its wings spread wide, the other sat perched in a tree, surveying the land. Whenever I see an animal that I don’t see often, I look up its spiritual meaning. The messages always align, and this one was no exception.
Finally, on my grocery store run yesterday, I bought myself a Mad Libs and a word search booklet from the grocery store as a way to soothe my younger self. Little Maya loved both of these activities dearly and I had a laugh with Dan after dinner yesterday while filling out the Halloween-themed Mad Libs.
What nourishes your soul? Leave a comment so we can inspire each other with new ways of bringing some more care into our lives this weekend.
My love to you all, Shabbat Shalom.
P.S. As mentioned on IG stories yesterday, I am going to be donating 50% of my portal shop sales to charities directly involved in aiding those affected by the attacks in Israel. Please consider purchasing a print of Israel or a spice sweatshirt—which I’ve reopened sales of for this cause.
If you ever want to do a Mad Libs session over zoom, I'd love to. Or if you're in the neighborhood (like, within 50 miles of Redding), we can do it in person at the Old Mill cafe in Georgetown.
xox