On Body Acceptance: “How do I love a body that’s breaking down; not cooperating? One that’s seemingly betraying me; not allowing me to do all the things my brain comes up with?”
Author: betsyslay
The Eyes Have It (and sometimes the blueberries)
On Eyes 1: “As others shield, avert their gaze, even close their eyes, should I be opening mine wider, allowing even more light to come in?”
On Eyes 2: “Not just what we see by looking out through them, but what can be seen or learned by looking at them, into them.”
Just Add Water
FOLLOW UP from last week. It took some thoughtful planning and careful execution, but I successfully bathed the cat and neither of us suffered any (physical) injuries. On Bathing Our 15-Year-Old Cat: “I know it might be a terrible idea, but if I could figure it out, I could save $75 every 8 weeks.”
Getting into the Spring of Things
Spring has always represented renewal and refreshment to me. It seems like the perfect time to liven things up with some fun changes, and this week those changes include my newsletter format.
The Sting: Woundings in the Garden and Life
We can’t protect ourselves from all the stings in life, but we can learn which responses work best for us. Responses that allow us to cultivate the healthiest, most verdant emotional landscape possible.
(Mis) Adventures in Marmalade
I’ll blame my marmalade mania on all those cozy British mystery shows I love to watch on BritBox. It’s almost impossible to watch an episode of any series that doesn’t include a breakfast table scene complete with toast lined up neatly in a toast rack, ready to be slathered with the ubiquitous jar of marmalade.
Women’s History, Favorite Teacher, February Books
Miss Douglas was everything 4th grade Betsy needed. She was fun, full of enthusiasm, had high expectations, ran a tight classroom, but did it in a way that felt kind and caring. I was a very insecure and sensitive child, eager to please and blossomed under Miss Douglas’ tutelage.
Missed Your Connection?
How has belonging changed in our modern world? Here’s the short version: Belonging isn’t as simple as it used to be.
Longing to Belong
Why do we have such a deep need to belong? Why are we willing to invest all our resources and energies to get it and keep it? As humans, we are hardwired for connection.
Creativity for Non-Creative People
If you are waiting until you have more time or feel better to include creativity into your life, you’re missing out. Adding even the tiniest dose of creativity into your everyday life will spark a creativity + wellbeing cycle that will eventually become virtually self-sustaining.