First off, I wanted to say hi to a few new faces who it seems came upon this corner of the Internet from Ann's newsletter.

I know this is just a newsletter but I so wish we could all grab a chai together sometime. If you live in D.C., hopefully one day we can! In the meantime, never hesitate to shoot me back ideas or replies to these notes. Hearing back from readers is my favorite part of the week.

Lately I've been beginning to grapple with decisions that are of a—shall I say—financial consequence? 🤔Houses have been...hunted. Very sad sad studio apartments have been...explored. Basically, I'm ready to make changes that will cause things to get Real Adult. And be risky! And it's been all decisions, decisions, tossing, turning. After one recent bout of sleeplessness (hoo-boy, tune in next week and we can tackle that beast of a topic) I decided my mind was, perhaps just maybe, focusing on all the wrong outcomes. It was in "worst case scenario" mode. It was operating in what money expert folk call "scarcity mindset," which is both a financial liability, as well as an emotional liability.

I think after exhausting one too many "what if's" which inevitably lead to the hysterical domino-outcome-scenario-game, I finally just...ran out of options? I was on hour three of laying awake and just thought, god, I need a new storyline here. So I tried one on: what if this wasn't at all the death of my finances but could be a catalyst for my financial freedom? I started to actually imagine the ideal outcome, and the craziest thing happened, which is that it seemed realistic.

A few days later at work, my extremely talented co-worker was stressing about a project that she's currently crushing. The big moment is arriving and she shared that she'd been imagining all the ways that it could possibly go wrong as the finish line was looming: The metro could blow up. The Internet could...blow up. I mean, there could be a black-out. And honestly, two out of three of those scenarios are pretty likely. But just in that moment a piece of art from Lucia Litman popped up on my phone:

"Think about what could go right." I mean, that's some spooky, well-timed Instagram sorcery. And maybe it's spies in the microphone, or maybe it was just one of those moments where you realize: "Damn, look at the thousands of people that 'liked' this image that also needed to hear this? Maybe I am not so alone after all."

So I showed my coworker like the witchy woman I am, but really I was reminding myself, too. Because whether you call it the "law of attraction" or you don't have a name for it other than, "it feels better to not torment myself with terrifying thoughts all the time" — it's nothing more than a practice.

Many things could go wrong. But only one has to go right.

💖
Kelly

Close your eyes. Bring to mind that thing that has been challenging you most currently. Now, imagine the best case scenario outcome of this challenge. What happens? What's going on around you? Sights, smells, sounds? How does it feel in your belly, in your heart, in your legs, arms, and temple?

Since many of you are new to the newsletter, and because it recently turned five years of age, I figured I'd tell you its birth story [crackling reel begins to play]:

It was May 2014. I had recently finished my yoga teacher training and was sad, because over those three months I had fallen in love with my Sunday morning reflection and writing routine, some of which I tumbl'd about at my now defunct tumblr. The training was amazing, but like most things for me it didn't really have meaning until I put words to paper. So I texted my friend Alla, and said: "what if I started a newsletter?" Like the supportive friend that she is, she replies, "Amazing idea." So, I did.

It's now been 185 letters (ish?). Topics have ranged from the meaning of the Om, "yoga teacher voice," the time I practiced empathy on a mouse, if the moon steals our sleep, about plans, and art, and my 5-year-old self care routine. Sometimes it's about yoga, sometimes it's just about life—heck, maybe they are one and the same. But honestly, this letter about a fish sandwich shop was easily my most challenging exercise in vulnerability to date. Feel free to skip the other links to go for that one.

Spots are filling up but we are still recruiting for a few more lovely souls to join our upcoming yoga retreat in the beauty of Shenandoah, Virginia from September 27-29. As an Om Weekly reader you'll get 15% off the listed rates. Honestly? This retreat can't happen without you. 💕Deets are here. Let me know any questions.

New playlist feels splendidly like all the things going right all at once. // And don't forget to stream this big ol' playlist for all day zen.