Hi Reader,
There's a creek a couple of blocks from my house that I love to walk along, and it endlessly fascinates me to see the small changes day to day - which flowers are in bloom, how high the water levels are, if the ducks are home, and then, as the season changes, watching the leaves change and the colors slowly change.
Every year the same cycle, but each day brings subtle differences, depending on how long or how often you look. The constant throughout is change - nothing ever stays exactly the same.
In my own practice and in all of my yoga classes last month, we were exploring the theme of Santosha - contentment. Santosha is one of the Niyamas, personal practices, the 2nd limb of yoga philosophy.
Contentment is an interesting one, with some tensions that can arise.
It asks us to consider being satisfied with what you have, and not wishing you had something someone else does or putting energy into jealousy and lack, when you could be more connected to what's already yours.
It invites you to be present with the you who is here right now - messy, unfinished parts and all - not the you who existed 10 years ago, or even yesterday, nor the fantasy aspirational you who lives in your head.
It asks us to be aware of our own limitations and edges, without constantly trying to force our way past them. It maybe even offers finding delight in your limitations, the capacity you currently have, and finding appreciation for where you are, rather than fighting where you are or wishing you were somewhere else.
That being said - contentment is not passive. It's not "well, it is what it is and I can't do anything to change my circumstances". It's also not a denial of your own dreams, desires, and ambitions.
Rather it asks for engagement with what comes your way - not trying to avoid something or control it, not grasping too tightly to expectations - but being curious and interested in the full spectrum of your experience, and allowing space between circumstance and reaction.
It can show you all of the possibilities and resources already at your fingertips, while giving you space to take action from a centered, more coherent place instead of a fearful, lacking place.
And within all of this, I do believe emotions such as jealousy are wildly important. When I find myself consistently wishing for something that other people have, or the same threads of envy show up more than once, it's not just a matter of "keeping my eyes on my own paper" and pretending the feeling doesn't exist.
Rather, it's an invitation to more connection with my own truth and longings:
*️⃣ Why do I feel jealousy?
*️⃣ What is it about that thing that calls to me?
*️⃣ Is there a part of me that believes I can't have it (or my version of it)?
*️⃣ What do I think will be true if I do have it?
And - if there's something I truly want to go after -
*️⃣ Can I allow myself to enjoy where I am, while simultaneously devoting myself to the process of creation?
This is the invitation of contentment. A cultivation of appreciation for where you are, and making space in the present moment to show up, get curious, and practice connection and discernment.
The ecosystem of the creek isn't grasping for the next season. As far as we know the flowers aren't anxiously trying to bloom and the trees aren't in competition with each other to see who has the prettiest autumn leaves.
It also holds the reminder that nothing stays exactly the same, and while there are some things we can control and direct our energy towards, every day brings something slightly different and practicing contentment can help you stay connected regardless of what changes come your way.
We don't practice to finally arrive at a destination. Rather, practice helps you keep the dust cleared away, allowing you to see, notice, and engage with what's here while continuing to move toward what matters to you. Some things we can tend to and choose deliberately. Other things are wildly outside of the realms of prediction and control - from major life events to when the leaves decide to fall from the trees.
As we head toward Autumn, I invite you to notice. Notice the world around you, notice the world within you - and perhaps even find room for both expected and unexpected things to surprise and delight you.
Love,
Kate
Reading, Watching, Listening from August:
📚Books:
Total Count: 20 👀
Honestly can't even believe I read twenty?! books last month.
A worthwhile read: Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven - Two souls meet lifetime after lifetime, fall in love, and always kill each other before they turn 18. One of them knows why, one does not. Cool premise, and while the ending wasn't exactly my favorite, it also wasn't predictable, which I loved. ⭐️4
Wanted to like it more than I did: Dreamland by Olivie Blake - I adore this author, though have been hit or miss with some of their work. I appreciate the themes and premise of this book - how far does one go for fame, power, youth? And, the writing and execution weren't my favorites. ⭐️3.25
Still thinking about: Shield of Sparrows and Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry - Books 1 and 2 of a fantasy trilogy - I absolutely LOVED the world building and the magic system in these books. I absolutely stayed up late multiple nights reading these two. Can't wait for book 3 next year. ⭐️5 and ⭐️4.75
Overall winner: The Serpent and the Wolf and The Wicked and the Damned by Rebecca Robinson - Honestly overjoyed I got to read not just one but TWO beginnings to fantasy trilogies that I fell in love with. Similarly I love the magic system in this one, the world building is solid, and I could see it all play out like a movie in my mind (which doesn't happen often when I read). It's been awhile since I've enjoyed a new fantasy author this much, and this month I got 2! ⭐️5 both
📺 Shows + Movies:
🕸️🦸🏻 Spiderman: Brand New Day - Was so excited for this one and it didn't disappoint. Tom Holland is amazing. Forever love superhero arcs and stories.
🏝️🐑⚓️ The Odyssey - Overall really enjoyed. My friend Tristan wrote an amazing critique of the film. I had a fixation on the miniseries of The Odyssey from 1997 growing up (anything Greek Mythology adjacent I was ON), so this was a fun update and different take on the epic.
🐻🍝 The Bear - In season 2 and I'm committed, though it's stressful watching people make terrible decisions over and over again.
🐉🏰 House of the Dragon - Finished season 3. Eh. We get it, power corrupts and makes people do terrible things. Less and less interested in this kind of story where there are no different possibilities.
🎶🎧 Listening:
Still on Dreaming Against the Machine podcast- dreaming up more just and equitable futures through the lenses of science fiction, current events and history, psychology, the laws of physics, and more. Check it out here.
A lot of pop punk, emo, indie rock from the early 2000s. It's a forever vibe (it's not a phase, okay? 😆). Made a barre playlist for the either enjoyment or disgruntlement of my in person barre students that you can check out here:
How about you? What are you consuming? What recommendations would you send my way?
Upcoming:
In Person: This month, I'm hosting an autumn equinox retreat and would love to have you there! We'll gather in the heart of Minnesota next to a beautiful lake and spend our days immersed in nature, practicing yoga, making art, and traversing the portal of the equinox together - integrating what has been and making space for the season ahead. There is 1 spot left - is it yours?
