Content warning: Mention of self-harm.
There's a lot of thoughts and feelings settling for me as I've been integrating ALL OF THE THINGS I've experienced over the past month and a half (and, of course, all of what came before because we're perpetually integrating stuff back and forth in nonlinear timelines).
What's making its way through my body lately is: election results, current relationships, a silent meditation retreat with Shell Fischer on ANGER, a few Friday nights with Ann Kite's dance community, and a fantastic breathwork session on FORGIVENESS with Allison Tilluma.
And let's not forget... two energy clearings with sound healer Anna Neimark who magically appeared in my life when I needed a foodie buddy (my fave kind of buddy if you ask me! lol). Thank you for the introduction Patience Ulstad! Check out Anna's courses here to try a free energy clearing and activation. Her vocal toning is highly impactful and that's not all she does either! More on that soon!
Let's dive into the realizations and gems from integration time. OOO YAYY!!!
Shell of Mindful Shenandoah Valley often describes silent retreats as having the power to deepen your mindfulness and meditation practice. I would be so bold to claim that they "accelerate" the depths AND when paired with Reiki mantras... AND general energy clearings... HOLY F*CK!!! I go even deeeeeper. This is MY magic life-changing miracle that I am so freaking grateful for.
BIG DISCLAIMER: This is my personal practice. Each of us has our own individual recipe for integrating deep healing. This just happens to be what works for me at this time.
I encourage you to explore what lands FOR YOU. I invite you to make these discoveries by following your intuition and developing your relationship to Spirit. You also land in things by chance and trial and error. I like to think that life delivers whatever it is we need and it's up to us to recognize and receive the hints and gifts. I mean, that's how most of mainstream humans are living life. Right?
What's calling out to you?
There was a period in my life post-divorce where I endured my fair share of painful heartbreak moments as I went through a lot of mismatched dating and two, years-long romantic relationships that were misaligned only to finally land in my truth and authenticity because I decided to choose differently for myself. Talk about a process!
I release any bitterness and resentment for anything and everything in my past that wasn't meant for me that I spent YEARS in. Sometimes it takes us this long to wake up to the reality of what we actually WANT and step into feeling like we're deserving of it all. We spend many years thinking that we have no control over who comes into and stays in our lives, including family.
Who do you want to hang with? How do you want to feel? What do you want to be doing with your life? These are questions you ask yourself when you're a conscious seeker.
And if none of this resonates with you, that's totally fine. Unsubscribe. Move on. The sooner we wake up to allowing ourselves to desire everything we could ever possibly want and actually go for it, the easier it becomes to flow with life as guided by your intuition and connection to highest self.
It's that both/and of wanting and releasing outcomes. Create the intention and then let it go because what arrives when we do this is something even WAY MORE amazing than anything we could possibly ever imagine. So don't be afraid to dream big!
And remember to enjoy the journey. I feel like that's what I've been returning to lately, so here are my 5 FAVES for this week. Starting with...
As a survivor of a suicide attempt in my teens, it's personally meaningful for me to advocate for mental health resources accessible TO ALL. The Trevor Project is specifically focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQIA+ youth. They are one of the most vulnerable groups of individuals that will be at highest risk of being harmed by the new administration in the US.
Please consider making a donation to this vital cause here.
When we lift up the voices of the most marginalized in society, EVERYONE benefits.
Linda Thai is such a huge inspiration to me! As a child refugee, she's taken her journey and shared her story in her work as a trauma therapist and decolonizing advocate.
I've taken her Somatic Embodiment training and I can't wait to learn MORE from her. One day soon I'd like to create a new attachment template with her in-person at a Psychodrama Structures retreat. Here's a link to her events and be sure to check out the rest of her site and join her newsletter for a jam-packed info-filled exploration into her life and work. She's incredibly expansive and soothing for your nervous system!
I was instantly drawn to the quarterly publication of women-focused Cherry Bombe because one of my fave food and style icons, Jeni Britton of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream was on the cover and OMG who doesn't love Jeni's Brown Butter Almond Brittle?!
In this issue was also Amy Yip of NYC's Yip.Studio who makes the f*cking coolest rock cakes! I swear at some point, I will focus on expressing my creativity with food, baking, and chocolate.
Bold Fork Books in Mount Pleasant DC is super cute and I honestly wanted to leaf through every cookbook and take photos of the recipes, but I resisted and didn't go crazy shopping either. Before heading home, I stopped into Each Peach to see what I might like to munch on in traffic...
This is where I discovered the most amazing chocolate bar of 2024! The Croissant bar is part of Pump Street Chocolate's bakery series. EEEE!!!! I might have to start a chocolate budget in 2025. I swear it's been the best thing to lift my mood these days. This bar seriously tastes like you're eating a chocolate croissant. I kid you not. I do not know how they get those crispy bits in there to stay fresh like that!
Each Peach might feel overpriced for some. I like to think of it as a great way to support a mom and pop shop and find something special to try. I'm definitely coming back to try their sandwiches!
I've been enjoying French food more ever since my partner began working at Bastille, a classic Old Town Alexandria institution since 2006. We recently had Thanksgiving dinner there and loved it! Check out their upcoming special events here.
For yummy pastries, try Del Ray French bakery Gustave Boulangerie. Their canelé was tasty, although my all-time fave is at Reunion Bakery in Staunton, VA and Rarebird in Falls Church has a great one too. Anything with Nutella at Gustave is super delicious and I really enjoyed their almond crossiant! I will return to try their sandwiches and the rest of their menu.
GRATITUDE A BILLION TIMES OVER
Huge side note, I'm really over-joyed in knowing that I persevered through some really hard times this past year of healing my elbows and my heart and I got to stay connected to all of you. Thank you for being here.
You're the reason I get to do what I love doing as a career! To express your gratitude for me and my work, please make a donation to my Venmo.
On a more serious note...
Let's acknowledge the truth of Thanksgiving and the continued harm that's inflicted on our indigenous communities. I'm not sure yet how I want to support them directly. As always, change begins with awareness and a motivation to educate yourself. I just subscribed to the newsletter of non-profit Cultural Survival and will research ways I can take action to care for and protect the original caretakers of our land.
I look forward to seeing you soon and being in community with you!
With so much love + gratitude,
JENNY xo
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