Last week I touched on the importance of voting not only in general but also in this specific election. Many of us have cast our ballots early and now we wait...
Election day feels all too close and too far away at the same time. It can be hard to focus on the eve of such a huge event. There isn't much we can do once we've voted but wait, and it is expected that the final results could take over a week to be declared. In the meantime, you can check on your vote status to make certain it was accepted. I was surprised to look up my ballot status and it claimed to be "on hold". I had to call FOUR times to find out I had written out my signature differently than on past ballots and they had to update my account. HAVE YOU CHECKED TO SEE IF YOUR VOTE was actually counted? If you are not able to discover the status of your vote in the state you reside, speak out and let your voice be heard to make certain the system is set-up for you next time around. You should have access to your voting status!
And after you have checked on your ballot status, I'll remind you (and myself!) that it's okay to indulge in distractions and comforts to cope. It is more than okay to seek and find joy as a means to continue living life. Cook that favorite recipe, indulge in a Netflix binge, dive into a new book. Do what you need to do to relax and enjoy your day.
Speaking of joy, I would send everyone I know a copy of The Book of Joy if I could!
"Two great spiritual masters share their own hard-won wisdom about living with joy even in the face of adversity."
"From the beginning, the book was envisioned as a three-layer birthday cake: their own stories and teachings about joy, the most recent findings in the science of deep happiness, and the daily practices that anchor their own emotional and spiritual lives. Both the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu have been tested by great personal and national adversity, and here they share their personal stories of struggle and renewal. Now that they are both in their eighties, they especially want to spread the core message that to have joy yourself, you must bring joy to others.
Most of all, during that landmark week in Dharamsala, they demonstrated by their own exuberance, compassion, and humor how joy can be transformed from a fleeting emotion into an enduring way of life."
An incredible read! I highly recommend it for cultivating and sustaining joy during difficult times. You can order it here.
And then to put this advice to work...
"Are you ready to have more Joy, Passion, Abundance, Health, Love, Inner Peace, Fun, Adventure, Creativity, Wisdom, Power, and Romance in your life? What are you waiting for? Jump into this fun and inspiring 30-day adventure into Love, Health and Abundance and watch your life sparkle with Joy! For the Love of Joy will guide and inspire you to take your life to a higher level. This book will help you raise your Joy Set Point so that your life will flow with greater ease and joy." You can order it here.
A couple of movie recommendations from my recently watched list:
The Aeronauts - Available on Prime Video
"In 1862, pioneering meteorologist James Glaisher (Eddie Redmayne) teams up with daredevil balloon pilot Amelia Rennes (Felicity Jones) to advance human knowledge of the weather and fly higher than anyone in history. While their voyage to the very edge of existence helps the unlikely pair find their place in the world, they face physical and emotional challenges in the thin air, as the ascent becomes a fight for survival."
Although based on true events, you feel quite swept up in fantasy as this roller coaster movie keeps you high in the clouds. A film for the whole family!
Rebecca - Available on Netflix
"After a whirlwind romance in Monte Carlo with handsome widower Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer), a newly married young woman (Lily James) arrives at Manderlay, her new husband's imposing family estate on a windswept English coast. Naive and inexperienced, she begins to settle into the trappings of her new life, but finds herself battling the shadow of Maxim's first wife, the elegant and urbane Rebecca, whose haunting legacy is kept alive by Manderlay's sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas)."
In my personal opinion, the acting could have been a little stronger but where that aspect slightly lacks, it is surely made up for in cinematography and wardrobe. Definitely worth a watch!
Looking for more of a series? Check out The Trouble With Maggie Cole on PBS.
Now that entertainment is sorted out, we must not forget one of the world's ultimate comforts: a delicious meal! Some of you may already know that I live a dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free lifestyle and one of my go-to sites feature recipes that fit my dietary needs without compromising taste. Fear not, if you do not share my restrictions, there are plenty of recipes for all types of diets. I highly recommend www.goop.com/recipes
And why not cap it all off with some DIY pampering? Here is a lovely video to give you some at-home spa inspiration:
I truly hope this inspires you to indulge in some distraction and self-care. We cannot face the world and all its happenings from an empty cup. We all deserve the mental escape!
Sending love and light from Sauvie Island...
Until next time!
xo
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