From NYC to Olhão to Falasteen
The world is community
Friends,
Earlier this month, a good homie’s wedding brought me back to NYC, and that led to a bursting cornucopia of noodle slurpin’ and beer slingin’ with old and new friends. Many of us have held each other through good times, weird times, and scary times, and meeting and hanging out with folks who not only move towards life but also live the change and live the future they believe in filled me with such joy.
And to add to this bubbling cauldron of love, in a classic HSP (highly sensitive person) move, at weekend brunch I was so taken by my friend’s beauty that I cried into my plate of waffles. I mean, he was glowing, draped in that golden, Hells-Kitchen-at-12:25pm light. ✨
What a joy it is, to love, to be loved, to be in community.
✅ By the way! I have a question for you and would appreciate your input via the poll below. Don’t forget to select your answer before you go.
My conversation with Casa Fuzetta
Speaking of beautiful friends… Tara, the owner and creative wizardess of Casa Fuzetta, invited me to her gorgeous retreat in Olhão earlier this year to have a heartfelt conversation on her podcast, The House of Stories.
🎧 I recommend tuning in on headphones as at times it can be difficult to hear us!
Tara and I have been exchanging emails since 2020 so it was a pinch-me moment to meet her in person and be enjoying coffees on the rooftop at Casa Fuzetta! She has witnessed some of my recent big life changes with such warmth and care and welcomed me with open arms as I finally made it to Portugal with a trail of suitcases and a mixed cloud of self-doubt and huge dreams.
Tara’s journey to Casa Fuzetta is an epic story in itself. In the first episode of her podcast, you can hear about how she made the transition from big time lawyer and CEO (for none other than Jamie Oliver! 🍅) to owner and creative goddess of one of the world's best yoga retreats.
P.S., I’ll be making my pilgrimage back to Olhão in a few months, so you will definitely hear more about Casa Fuzetta then. 🐚
Readers, take the poll!
Recently I’ve welcomed a new flock of subscribers, and this includes some of my first paid subscribers. 🦜 This was such a wonderful surprise, as…
I’d never imagined making a paid option for this newsletter!
I learned that some kind folks are totally happy to support my work by deciding to pay for my free newsletter.
The monthly updates and Earthling letters will always be free and accessible to everyone 🎁 but because of these recent contributions, I started wondering how people would feel about paying for additional content.
Is extra “content” even needed in this world? Would some of you be happy to continue receiving the usual and support me anyway?
With those jumbled thoughts in mind, I figured it might help to ask you directly, dear readers. Please let me know your preference below or just write back to me with your thoughts!
This poll will be open for a week. Thanks for taking the time to select an answer!
Soul spark ✨
What’s been inspiring me lately
This performance by The Roots, Bilal, and Black Thought is a favorite of mine and one I’ve been revisiting a lot this month. Before listening, read these lyrics:
Looking for justice and it's just us
It ain't fair
There's a riot going on out there
And it ain't fair
When your protector is your predator
It ain't fair
This music helps me feel the feelings and shake that stuck energy OUT. Even if it sometimes feels like “it’s just us” out here fighting the fight, we found each other and we’re finding more of us who want change, who want freedom for everyone. Music like this helps me get back up, again and again.
You are divine & you better believe it.
Haruka