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Every day is gratitude day
Right now there is so much shit happening in the world, it’s almost impossible to focus on gratitude. How can we be grateful when people are killing each other in war zones around the world? How can we be grateful when so much hate--anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, anti-women, anti-democracy and anti-humanity--is on the rise?
However, how can we not be grateful? In this very moment I have all that I need. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring—could be better, could be worse. So all we have is this moment to appreciate—as it is, and as it isn’t. I'm breathing, my heart is still beating, I have food in the frig and flannel sheets on my bed.
(See farther down for some cheering links and useful resources.)
First, I want to express my gratitude for all of you: my color clients, my former clutter-clearing and going-gray-gracefully students, my former Thin Within students and Cherry Pie Paradox readers, and those newsletter readers who respond with your own takes on life. I have learned so much from my interactions with you—I am always exploring alongside of you. The common thread in all my activities is a deep desire to educate (from the Latin, to lead out or bring forth) — to share tools and ways of thinking that make it easier to discover and express our unique selves more fully. Thank you for educating me along the way.
Self-education never sleeps. At the conference I attended last month with my color colleagues, I got hooked by a new system for determining personal colors (skin, hair, eyes, teeth) created by one of my mentors, Mary Lou Manlove. I’ll be testing it out on clients starting Monday, and I’m super-excited about it. I know… I said I was retiring. Maybe not quite yet…I’m still learning, and I love the puzzle each client brings. So much beauty in each person. 💕💕💕
Here are the skin tones... note that they are multi-racial.
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Now for fun:
Hearing color. In this Ted Talk, Neil Harbisson describes how he overcame his brain’s inability to see color, by creating a special camera that is connected to a device implanted in his brain which translates the color it sees into specific sounds, so that he hears the rainbow, or your pink and purple polkadot dress. It’s craaaaazy!
Finding aliens in outer space. Neil DeGrasse Tyson learns how much of outer space we’ve explored so far, and hence how much we do not know. This 41-second “To Scale” conversation blew my mind.
Serious but truly helpful:
Even-handed discussion on the war in Gaza and the rise in anti-semitism: On his podcast Ezra Klein discusses with Rabbi Sharon Brous why Americans are so divided on the war in Gaza and how we might hold the situation more holistically. We have different understandings of Israel, and to some extent it's generational. Older folks remember Israel as a fragile and improbable haven for a people who had suffered mightily under the Nazis. Folks in middle age knew a strong Israel, backed by America’s unwavering support. (True, Israel was oppressing Palestinians within its borders, but it was basically a liberal ally with a moral core.) But the only Israel that young people know is a country ruled by authoritarian right-wing extremists who’ve run amuck in the West Bank, gobbling territory meant for the Palestinians. No wonder they're outraged. Jewish-Americans are caught in the middle. You can hear the whole conversation wherever you listen to your podcasts. Worth your time and attention.
A monthlong dive into gratitude. 11/19-12/18. I’ve taken several online courses with Gregg Krech of the ToDo Institute of Japanese Psychology. This one includes daily practices and the powerful Naikan process of self-questioning. Not free, but his courses always open up something in me. See you there?
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If you haven't yet bought the Cherry Pie Paradox, may I humbly suggest it is a great fortification against the onslaught of holiday face-stuffing. You can eat what you love, without packing on the pounds. Really.
Then, request the FREE AUDIOBOOK! For owners of the Cherry Pie Paradox or the workbook. I’ve found a new home for the audiobook version, where I can set the price however I want. If you already have a copy of the book or workbook and would like the audiobook, just email me (joy.overstreet@gmail.com) and I'll send you the info. If you do not yet have the book and want to buy it, Venmo me $20 @Joy-Overstreet, and I'll mail you a signed copy and the audiobook link. (Use the email link above and add your name, address, and any message you'd like when I sign it.)
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Thank you for being here. I love hearing from you, <<First Name>>, and always welcome your feedback… just reply to this email and I promise to get back to you. I encourage you to share these newsletters with your friends and invite them to subscribe.
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