🖌️ Rest, Reflect, and Revel: My Last In & Out List of 2023
Letter 187
If you are new here or missed last week's edition, you can catch up on the past letters here. If you are reading this for the first time, I’d love you to sign up below to join the other learn-it-alls:
Aloha fellow learn-it-all 👋
Greetings from Honolulu
There’s no denying it. It’s been a tough week. Everything is piling up on all ends. I’m sharing this as a reminder to you (and to myself) to remember to rest. Let’s not burn the candle at both ends. Hang in there folks!
As my dad always tells me, a nap is always a good idea.
In other news, I took a collage course on Sunday and created this:
I channeled in my energy for this last month of the year. Many extraneous thoughts went into each layer of this piece of art. Instead of overanalyzing and sharing all that it was, I’ll let you take it in for what you see. (I’m curious what that is if you don’t mind sharing in comments or in response to this email).
This collage was a hoot and a half. Don’t you go become a worrywart now— I’m going to do more of these.
Now, let’s dive into letter 187 from a learn-it-all. Enjoy!
🤔 Reflecting
Continuing on my ritual of my “In and Out” lists this year, here’s mine for December:
🎉 Fifteen things I’m celebrating from November
Starting to dance hula confidently each week and feeling like a top dancer in the Ami and Uwehe
Having my first OMG moment as a book author when a fan unpromptedly asked me if I was the person who wrote that book on Hawaii, Ohana and Pure Aloha (!)
Consistently having my stroke count of 14 strokes down the length of the pool at Masters Swim practice
Skipping my biathlon to make sure my health was okay
Drawing palm trees for the first time
Sleeping in a yurt for the first time
Canoe surfing for the first time
Peeling lychee for the first time
Hosting my friend Amanda for two weeks and the many fun adventures together in the mountains, ocean, and with the albatross.
Facilitating thoughtful conversations on Friendsgiving that gave me the courage to share my unfiltered musings
The grace that I wrote and have been continuously sharing with friends before eating together
Sharing poems with people that I care about. Passion is for People.
Getting all my Christmas shopping done in November
Finding a coconut to drink from on the island for the first time
Going solo to a wedding
📜🖋 Poetry Corner
(1) Poem from Jen Vermet
May 23, 2023 Newsletter on 🥱 Entering a season of rest
🕯️Burning the candle at both ends
Why do I do this to myself? I jump with joy saying hell yes! The dates miraculously align But doubt comes as exhaustion follows I enjoy designing my life Around things that I love to do But what about rest? That is needed too. Burning the candle at both ends Will inevitably burn you.
(2) Poem from Mary Oliver
Page 176 of Mary Oliver’s “Devotion” Compilation from “Why I Wake Early” in 2004
🌼 Daisies
It is possible, I suppose, that sometime we will learn everything there is to learn: what the world is, for example, and what it means. I think this is I am crossing from one field to another, in summer, and the mockingbird is mocking me, as one who either knows enough already or knows enough to be perfectly content not knowing. Song being born of quest he knows this: he must turn silent were he suddenly assaulted with answers. Instead…
🎧Listening
Banks by NEEDTOBREATHE
I wanna be there when the voices in your head
Are loud enough to make you lose your mind
Just the same when you're dominating the day
I wanna be the one who's by your side
You know my love is not the jealous type
It doesn't matter if we win or lose
Oh, I could stay or I could come no matter where you're coming from
I can be the one to let you chooseI wanna hold you close but never hold you back
Just like the banks to the river
(Oh) And if you ever feel like you are not enough
I'm gonna break all your mirrors
(Oh) I wanna be there when the darkness closes in
To make the truth a little clearer
(Oh) I wanna hold you close but never hold you back
I'll be the banks for your river
🌟Quote to inspire
“Relax. Your rumination, analysis, worry, and need to control the future are robbing you of the current moment. Yes, there is time for preparation, but continually thinking of the future guarantees you’ll never enjoy in the present.”
—James Clear
📸Photo of the Week
Collaging is cool! And fun!
I appreciate you reading this!
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Keep on learning 😁
Mahalo 🌺
Jen
Ps - in case you missed last week’s, I shared my unfiltered musings
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