July 2023 Favorites

This July was a busy one, but the summer is flying by. I explored country stores, ate peaches and met a Teddy Roosevelt impersonator. I drank a peach apple slushie that was to die for. I explored a new city park, and then, a neat city pier. I walked through the Greenwich Village, which is my favorite, and as many old readers know, it was home.

I did a lot of therapy. Listened to a lot of coaching calls. I picked up a crochet hook again, after years. I got addicted to matcha. I had to give up matcha. I celebrated Bastille Day with live French music. Jane Birkin died. I saw a Puerto Rican salsa night in Brooklyn. I watched a Manchester United match against Arsenal. I drank gazpacho. I tried a horrible self tanner that left me with splotches. I crashed after trial and spent days in bed where the construction men outside of my window wondered if I was alive.

During this month, I overworked. I read many books. I started a new fitness challenge. I had fun making mood boards.

I am over the heat. Ready for autumn, but we have two more months of summer left. August, bring it on. How was your July?

Top post of the month: Icono Series: Isabela Grutman

Quotes

“Don’t fear sadness, as it tends to sit right next to love.” Sahil Bloom

“Those who think they have no time for exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” Edward Stanley

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” William Wordsworth

“Que belleza guardan aquellos que no encuentran su lugar facilmente entre tanta gente. Tal y como esta el mundo, es un privilegio no encajar.” Alejandra Pizarnik

“One must live as if it would be forever, and as if one might die each moment. Always both at once.” Mary Renault

“Death takes no bribes.” Benjamin Franklin

“We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.” Gwendolyn Brooks

“Perhaps only people who are capable of real togetherness have that look of being alone in the universe. The others have a certain stickiness, they stick to the mass.” D.H. Lawrence

“Excitement is a better motivator than discipline. The people who appear to have an exceptional work ethic or remarkable discipline are often those with a genuine curiosity or interest in that area. The person who smiles is more likely to keep working than the person gritting their teeth.” James Clear

“Nothing will cost you more in life than a predetermined belief that things aren’t going to work out.” Donald Miller

“YOU ARE ALLOWED TO CHANGE THE PRICE OF WHAT IT COSTS TO ACCESS YOU.” Unknown

“I once asked in a post ‘Do you feel guilty for taking time away from your family to exercise alone?’ One woman replied ‘No. I feel guilty when I’m an absolute c*** to them because I haven’t had any space.’ I think many of us could really benefit from this insight today.” Elizabeth Davies 

“If you want to change a negative relationship pattern, deciding to just take a break from relationships generally won’t fix it. Whether it’s a year, five years, or a ten year break, you’ll still run the same pattern because you’re still operating on the same program. To heal our wounds so that we can be in a healthy relationship with a mature partner takes commitment, work, openness, humility – and sometimes pain as we step into the parts of ourselves we’ve been avoiding. So if you want to change your relationship pattern, make it your work not your break. It will be the most rewarding job you’ve ever had. With benefits that last a lifetime.” Neil Strauss

“My sword I leave to him who shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it.” Christian, The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan

“To free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves-there lies the great, the singular power of self-respect.” Joan Didion

“Sometimes people try to destroy you, precisely because they recognize your power not because they don’t see it, but because they see it and they don’t want it to exist.” Bell Hooks

“Instead, I know that power comes from some of life’s most devastating hardships. Our strength is in taking ownership of the pain, allowing ourselves to feel it as such, and continuing to move forward despite the suffering. Illness, hardship, trauma, loss-none of it is a life sentence. It’s the most painful things about ourselves that have the capacity to bring out the most brilliance.” Pooja Lakshmin

“Love is not found in the easy. It is not tested in smooth. Love is forged in the hard.” Joseph Smith

“Being good at what you do is partially about competence, but not exclusively. Two other things that matter: Reliability. You do what you say you’re going to do-on time and as expected. Enthusiasm. You’re excited to be here and eager to work on this problem. Skills matter, but in many cases, it’s your reliability or attitude that separates you from the pack.” James Clear

“The real things haven’t changed. It’s still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.” Laura Ingalls Wilder

“My prayer is that when I die, all of hell reioices that I am out of the fight.” C.S. Lewis

“Destiny is revealed in seasons of confrontation rather than seasons of comfort.” Lisa Bevere 

Book of the Month

Videos + Articles + Stuff

Season 2 ep 32 Move with Heart Podcast: Jessie Inchauspé of Glucose Goddess

Fertility Over 40

Courses from Dr. Amen for your brain

Nutritionist Serena Poon Reveals Her 11 Most Important Wellness Habits

The 80/20 Principle: Achieving More With Less

Things that make a difference

PennyMade Gift and Home

An Affordable Green Powder

Tracee Stanley Debunks 5 Myths About Rest – Bye, Grind Culture

Relearning crochet? Use this playlist:

This song was shared with me and brought me comfort in a moment of anguish:

Reprogramming Fear was my favorite Mindshift podcast:

This clip brought the laughs:

This became a new fav channel:

Most Intriguing People

Jane Birkin

Cillian Murphy

See you as we keep inching toward autumn!