Come and stay for a while, or hop in during the middle and join us for all or part of it.
You can work on your editing, writing, creating, marketing, idea organizing, with me live.
It is free!
You can also ask me questions about any of the above during the Q&A section
This free session looks like you joining me as I am:
Giving you a short presentation at the beginning about a cool surprise topic to get you more motivated to make progress.
Silently working with you for 30 minutes. You can pop a note in the chat about what you’re working on.
Taking a break in the middle to chat with you.
Laying down or dancing around if I need to have a think about something.
Q&A questions related to my courses, organizing your ideas, marketing your business in a sales page, editing or writing your book, managing your energy as a creator, things like that! I will be available for questions SOME of the time, let’s say 10 minutes per hour.
Can I come for just part of it, if I have to leave? That’s fine! Yes, just pop in for a bit.
If you have a question, and cannot attend in full: consider sending me the question in advance via email or putting it in the chat during the session and I’ll record it even if you have to leave before I answer it.
Can I come late?
Absolutely, yes, just please make sure you are muted if we are being quiet.
Is there a recording if you can’t make it? Yes and no: I will record parts where I am teaching or answering an important question. But the part where we are quietly working? Nah. Probably not.
If you are new here — welcome to my FunLetters, where you get a little update from me and some things to inspire you and delight. <3 Feel free to reply to my emails anytime and let me know how you are or what you are working on.
Me, I have been exercising discipline to be NOT obsessing over the news for 36 hours, which is good for me LOL. It’s great to be informed but there’s such a thing as too much, especially when I notice I’m getting burned out on it.
I’ve recently fallen in love with the practice of recording an audio recording of myself giving me a pep talk.
When I relisten a few times it hits so differently. Have you ever tried that?
Another thing feeding me is digging into some of my creative writing. I stumbled on a piece I wrote when I lived in Japan.
This piece always feels totally PRESCIENT because I wrote it a bit before the pandemic rocked the globe and..well, you can read it.
In today’s age of uncertainty, it feels appropriate to share it again.
That story from Japan on uncertain times is below.
But first here’s the scoop on some events happening!
Whether you’re bold and quirky, soft and soulful, loud, quiet, colorful, calm — your presence is enough. You are enough.
You don’t need to become more extroverted, more polished, or more “on brand” to attract amazing clients.
You just need to stop hiding parts of yourself.
That’s what the Get Paid to Be You Summit is all about. Hosted by Sarah Michael, this 5-day free event features 25+ speakers — from Hawaiian-shirted attorneys to quietly magnetic mentors — all sharing how they built successful, profitable businesses by being fully themselves.
Because there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. There’s just the version that fits you.
Come and stay for a while, or hop in during the middle and join us for all or part of it.
You can work on your editing, writing, creating, marketing, idea organizing, with me live.
It is free!
You can also ask me questions about any of the above during the Q&A section
This free session looks like you joining me as I am:
Giving you a short presentation at the beginning about a cool surprise topic.
Silently working with you for 30 minutes. You can pop a note in the chat about what you’re working on.
Taking a break in the middle to chat with you.
Laying down or dancing around if I need to have a think about something.
Q&A questions related to my courses, organizing your ideas, marketing your business in a sales page, editing or writing your book, managing your energy as a creator, things like that! I will be available for questions SOME of the time, let’s say 10 minutes per hour.
Can I come for just part of it, if I have to leave? That’s fine! Yes, just pop in for a bit.
If you have a question, and cannot attend in full: consider sending me the question in advance via email or putting it in the chat during the session and I’ll record it even if you have to leave before I answer it.
Can I come late?
Absolutely, yes, just please make sure you are muted if we are being quiet.
Is there a recording if you can’t make it? Yes and no: I will record parts where I am teaching or answering an important question. But the part where we are quietly working? Nah. Probably not.
I wrote something in December 2019 right before the pandemic that always sticks with me.
The topic is uncertainty…and it had a certain level of psychic prediction considering what was to come.
Uncertainty seems to be the buzzword for 2025, especially for anyone in business or finance.
So here’s some food for thought on it.
Sending love to you.
Dear reader (from December 2019),
As of quite recently, I’ve been living in Japan, engaged in a job teaching English that will last for a year.
It was going well and, until recently, I thought I would stay in Japan for an additional, second year, too. I wanted to stay. I wanted to travel, pay off some debts, save, create a really good foundation of whatever I would do next.
But something ruined my perfect plan. I realized I was really unhappy. I was finding myself holding back tears at work. And one day it dawned on me…I really don’t like my job.
Wow. And in admitting that, I was frustrated and fighting it because I really didn’t want to change my nice little plan. I was mad—it felt good to know what I was doing next year!
My plan was certain. I had decided in my mind. It seemed clear. It gave me a ton of information about what to expect from the future. That felt safe. I love having a plan, a goal, something to drive an arrow towards.
The truth is that the unknown is scary. Confusion is uncomfortable. Being certain is nice. And having a plan to focus on distracts me from the inconvenience of having to deal with the feelings coming up in the present moment.
But sometimes being certain is bullshit. Sometimes we decide things based on information we perceive, but that information is incorrect, or inconclusive, or it changes. And living in the future is also nonsense, it’s a fantasy world, and it usually leads to me being disappointed that the reality is not all as good as I imagined it would be.
The universe has a way of changing things up. The truth is that none of us are in control. We think we are. It’s a nice little illusion we can buy into so that we don’t have to think about things we can’t control.
Stuff we can’t control, like the fact you could be hit by a bus of falling plane, or someone you love could be ill, or there could be a massive infection that decimates the a third of the world within two months. ((2025 me says: I swear I didn’t know a global pandemic would happen within months when I wrote this December 2019!!)) Someone could say something really mean to you or attack you on the street. Climate change could ravage our entire economic system and we could lose our house. Someone could raid your trash and violate your privacy. Your food could be bad and you could be on the toilet for the next 36 hours. Phone could suddenly break. And thats just, you know, the stuff that comes into my mind hardly thinking about it. But of course, we don’t want to dwell on all that.
We can make all the goals in the world, and decide—I’m doing this! This is happening! And there is something to be said for the power of that.
But in truth—I’ve been doing that since I was a kid. I’ve been setting goals and pursuing them since before I can even consciously remember my thought process.
Why? Because it gave me certainty, and it gave me safety. In my case, it’s not something I need to increase. It’s something that has actually become a crutch to feel safe in a world that I know for a fact is as uncertain as quicksand in many ways. It’s become overwrought, and considering the culture we live in, it seems like people are so often talking about goals, and bucket lists, and hussling that it makes my eyes cross. I accomplished enough of that to know that the other side is usually not the mystical paradise that it may seem.
Rather than trying to plan for every eventuality, I know that I can’t. I can’t live in constant fear either, because that is no way to live. I need to make the most of my time here on the planet, as rough and crazy as it can seem sometimes. And to do that, I need to accept uncertainty and mourn the certainty that I have so clung to. It served a purpose, I had to survive my youth somehow, but now any kind of illusion is only going to hold me back.
I put my trust in the waves of the universe and let myself float. I’m not going to be staying in Japan past April 2020, although I thought it’d be cool to stay until 2021.
Do you believe in something bigger? In times of uncertainty, it is what I come back to.
A story for another time, but there are reasons I know I am supposed to be in Japan. I don’t understand why. But there were signs that brought me here. I know in my bones that this is true.
The truth is I decided to go to Japan, but only because the path was illuminated for me.
And I said yes, I chose to be led by my spirit because I’ve found the alternative has never worked out. It was a cocreation, I chose to follow but I didn’t choose the direction.
Yes, still I worked my ass off for it, it didn’t just happen. But why? I did all this because I felt led to. I’m usually glad I follow the callings I’ve been given, even if it doesn’t make total sense during the journey and sometimes it still feels like a shit sandwich along the way. I’ve wondered what the point of me coming here has been if I am going to leave…but there has to be one. The path is uncertain, but I tried all the stuff I was “certain” about and it didn’t fulfill my expectations, anyway, so what is there really to lose?
But just because I’ve been led to take a left towards Japan, doesn’t mean I’m not going to have to change directions to leave Japan when the time is right. I have to always be listening because navigation is something that changes. I have to guide the wheel this way and that. If I’m listening for the directions, I still need to make decisions, hit the break, or add the gas at points.
So I told my company I’m not renewing my contract past March. I’m still here for at least 3-4 months. I can always just leave if I want…but although things are difficult, and I’m fiercely homesick and don’t feel like I’m making much of a difference for the planet at my dayjob—which maybe is sucking energy away from meaningful things like my business I actually want to be doing—I’m here and I’m doing my best.
And that can totally change any time. The future is uncertain, and I am okay with it. Because uncertainty means I’m paying attention, and I’m ready to be guided. And I bet where ever I end up will be pretty cool.
((Note from future me….later that month I began dating the man who would become my husband!! We are in love. How’s that for a reason to go to Japan?)
This week, I watched all of the Harry and Meghan interviews on Netflix.
And sidenote: oh my golly, it is an unfortunate story, but also very inspiring.
Shame that things didn’t work out and they couldn’t remain as part of the royal family but leaving makes perfect sense given what they shared. I think the two of them are very inspiring, heart-filled people and I really admire them for the love, the sensitivity, and care that they have about the planet (including Africa!) and being of greater service to all the people in it.
Now that we’ve gotten the important stuff out of the way lol,
I’d like to take a moment to speak about the power of a single, sparkling, gorgeous idea…
AND I AM ANNOUNCING SOMETHING NEW & EXCITING!
First the discussion of sparkling ideas. This is a holy thing to me, my life is all about listening for this sort of idea and putting it into action,
so I creep into this discussion like I am interrupting a church service.
I feel like I have arrived late while you are the priest or priestess of your creative process, speaking and delivering holy water…
hunched over, I quietly creep to my place in the church of good ideas…
I slip in with no sound except to maybe mouth “sorry” to someone or give a little smile or thumbs up
lest I interrupt you in the process of connecting with the thing most important of all.
(It’s not me–it’s about something bigger. The ideas. )
From a space of humility I offer this:
Photo by Hayley Maxwell
People really overestimate how many good ideas you need.
All you really need is one.
Or one writing session of an hour can spur you on with a single nugget of inspiration gained.
One class can give you one idea and be totally worth the money.
That’s the power of a good idea.
Most of us probably fall into 2 categories:
1. Some of us are looking for their single, sparkling idea and trying to find it out. We suspect it is something new that we don’t have yet…
2. Others have gotten the idea already, maybe long ago, and are learning to trust it.
Which is it for you?
FUN FACT:
Once you embrace that one single sparkling idea…
you basically open the floodgates for a million more sparkling ideas.
But it starts with seeing the value in the one you’ve got close at hand.
If you fight it or consider it unworthy…. that’s like shutting a door in its face.
YIKES!
Good ideas really don’t like that sort of disrespect.
Come on now, pick up that precious idea and give it some love.
What ideas are brewing for you?
Here are a few of my recent ideas:
What is NOT happening:
I have decided not to do a new live round of the 3 month digital organization club.
I will be turning the material into a self study program instead. Keep an eye out for future updates.
What IS happening:
I have decided to offer a FREE COWORKING SESSION.
Please mark your calendars for the upcoming FREE cowork session
editing, writing, creating, marketing, idea organizing, with me live.
It is free!
You can also ask me questions about any of the above during the Q&A section
This free session looks like you joining me as I am:
Giving you a short presentation at the beginning about a cool surprise topic.
Silently working with you for 30 minutes. You can pop a note in the chat about what you’re working on.
Taking a break in the middle to chat with you.
Laying down or dancing around if I need to have a think about something.
Q&A questions related to my courses, organizing your ideas, marketing your business in a sales page, editing or writing your book, managing your energy as a creator, things like that! I will be available for questions SOME of the time, let’s say 10 minutes per hour.
Can I come for just part of it, if I have to leave?
That’s fine! Yes, just pop in for a bit.
If you have a question, and cannot attend in full:
consider sending me the question in advance via email or putting it in the chat during the session and I’ll record it even if you have to leave before I answer it.
Can I come late?
Absolutely, yes, just please make sure you are muted if we are being quiet.
Is there a recording if you can’t make it?
Yes and no: I will record parts where I am teaching or answering an important question. But the part where we are quietly working? Nah. Probably not.
Do I have to talk or be on camera?
Nope. You can just hang out if you want.
Another idea has been brewing for quite a long time and I had to let it out today.
A note about my ever evolving relationship with social media:
A note about my ever evolving relationship with social media: I want to speak about something bothering me. For over ten years I have been a business owner and one of the big questions that sits heavy is how to integrate social media into it.
I used to always post daily. It felt like an important business act as an entrepreneur and writer—I never really used social media as much before I started my business. It was new 15 years ago and honestly I had traumatic things happen that made showing up online difficult. I had to work through that but it’s not like it totally goes away.
I dream about being invisible to all except who need to hear me.
Now I *can* take center stage when I want and social media has helped me cultivate friendships and connections as well as business opportunities. Things are changing…
For several years I have been aware that this habit that seemed healthy as a marketing tool at some point became a distracting addiction. (Email or posting to my site by comparison feels so much better.)
These days I monitor my scrolling time. When I go on to post one thing (often prewritten and I just need to paste it in), I get so distracted and flustered by things I see in the process that I have spent an hour scrolling and totally spent forgotten to post my original content.
But even a few minutes in, I notice, can have an impact on my mood and mental health.
I am unable to schedule posts for my instagram and facebook profiles, or YouTube profile, they must be done by me manually.
I already looked into it and have scheduled material to go out on my Facebook business page, and LinkedIn. I email out things weekly and post to my website here.
Although I feel I have things to say and want to continue posting Facebook and IG and even YouTube posts (the places I cannot automate)….
I am taking it day by day. A part of me wants the certainty of an announcement to say I am stopping altogether but that does not feel right. I’m no longer holding myself to a schedule. Everything shared elsewhere will not necessarily be shared on those platforms that I have to physically go into at that time to post.
Mostly it’s given me a lot of brain fog and just feeling weird and thinking not super well.
I’m not totally feeling myself and things feel extra challenging today getting this email ready to queue up for you, but it is the one thing I really want to get done in my heart and soul, so I’m taking deep breaths, and taking it one step at a time.
(Emailing is one of my favorite things I get to do in my business. Yes, it is work, but it’s also very creative and fun for me.)
Lately, I watched all of the Anne of Green Gables movies made in the 2000s.
It was a wonderful sick day adventure! I had never watched any shows with the stories or read the books, but quite delightful it was.
***
These days it has been hard to focus on what is really important and make progress on your book or business.
But, you know what….a part of me is just saying, OKAY yeah but what else is new?
I’ve been dealing with the writer, creator and entrepreneur life for a while now…
– the distractions and overwhelm,
– a changing technology/social media/marketing landscape and
– paralysis over what to do next
For me, it’s been over 25 years writing and publishing, and over 10 years in business.
The details are different, but it’s not like it’s ever been a cake walk.
I earned the miles, learned the tools and it’s just about putting them to work.
We CAN DO THIS.
Would you like some support from someone who has been there, done that in writing, publishing, or marketing a business?
If you need support I will soon be announcing a sale on the 2 Month Rapid Progress Package —
for only $150 a month you can have me in your pocket for private coaching weekly. This is $200 off.
The main event is weekly coaching where we talk about your priorities, what’s important, what’s getting in the way, how to move forward, what to do next, what to write, how to market, etc. and all the things!
We can talk about it all week to week for two months. Our conversations will be in weekly asynchronous checkins, a voice message, email, or text chat not a zoom call.
You can use me to stay accountable for the things you want to check off your list. I can help you figure things out problems along the way so you can write your nonfiction book, create for you business or write your salespage, emails, posts, etc.
What’s in the March/April Issue of On Purpose Woman Magazine?
Want to know more about what is in the magazine?
I joined a group of writers, artists, entrepreneurs doing cool things–we are all featured in this month’s issue of On Purpose Woman Magazine, and talk about what we contributed.
Tools for Genius Thinking and Writing: CommonPlace Books
Speaking of – I also wrote an article for the last magazine that I’d love more people to read.
Above is an interview that I did on the topic of the article.
It’s really about more than just common place books,
It’s the process of developing genius ideas, which in this era of brainrot, I really think we need.
I talk about historical practices for developing genius thinking, as well as the tools that I have personally developed in over 25 years writing and publishing online.
Things in the USA and world are nutty, I won’t harp about it, only say that uncertainty feels like a buzzword.
And in uncertain times I gravitate to things like: following my intuition,
reading Tarot cards, and
watching astrology reports on Youtube.
It’s something fun to think about.
(BTW If you’d like a personal intuitive reading, then come to our upcoming charity event TOMORROW!
In the spirit of generosity, everyone who has donated to my fundraisers in the past can come get a Card reading! And new people can donate to get a reading, or just come and support. Scroll down for all the info.)
I mentioned the eclipse in my last post, but I didn’t realize that on March 15 (Saturday), Mercury also went retrograde (and will remain so for about a month.)
Usually people mention Mercury Retrograde because something went wrong,
but for me there’s something I like about it.
I’ve always seen it as an opportunity to reread old journals, and wrap up old projects.
(Things that I like to do! But don’t always take the time.)
And admist the uncertainty in the air, I find myself tending to this sense of something unknown like a ritual…. raising my levels of patience with the answers slowly unfolding via these actions…
I spent the weekend in an hours long deep dive into old journal entries and blogs from previous eclipses and Mercury Retrogrades.
I pulled out old lessons and gems that speak to me even if I don’t fully understand why:
ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS to be less perfectionist.
If you have been ignoring some kind of inner call, the signs will get louder and may possibly cause trouble, so be SURE to have downtime to hear yourself in the silence. You absolutely need to get clear on what your soul and intuition are trying to tell you, it is VITAL this week.. a new part of you will be revealed.
We need to be open to listening within to our feelings. We need to let go of feeling Obligated. Sometimes we are going to be feeling highs–and sometimes we are going to be feeling lows.
But listen to what you are feeling and it may be a time when you need to chuck old rules and expectations out of the window so you can solve problems more creatively, take your time, get a break, etc, whatever you FEEL like doing. It may be difficult to let go and trust yourself that way, rather than an external authority or rule of how to do things, but it is what is really needed right now. Put yourself self first.
Commitment is essential to rapid growth and development as well as intimacy in relationships. So is clear communication and honesty. Be open with yourself to see how you fare in this area: how committed are you to your dreams? What are you committed to at this time?
An emerging creative power is coming forward, through your feelings, your passion, your actions and deeds.You must trust yourself.
Recognize you are brave and strong and have been for a long time. Have courage.
Slow down. Connection to pleasure is important. Answers will emerge.
I’m sharing because this is brings me fascination and inspiration in my life today and maybe something here resonates with you…even if you don’t totally know why.
I think when times are uncertain, trusting your intuition can be really helpful.
Want to try it?
if you’d like some more intuitive ideas tailored to you specifically and the questions you are sitting with.
I’m teaming up with a professional intuitive named Kris this week and you are welcome to join our online event on Wednesday, March 19 at 1 PM Pacific/ 4 PM Eastern
If you’d like a personal intuitive reading or a reading for you, your book, or business for as little as $25, then come to our upcoming charity event TOMORROW.
BTW In the spirit of generosity everyone who has donated to my Her Future Foundation fundraisers in the past can claim a free reading as a thank you!
“Kris’s Tarot Card reading was insightful, enlightening, and spot-on. I have had many readings through the years and no one has provided as much accuracy and clarity as Kris. She truly forms a genuine connection and has an astounding comprehension of the messages within the cards. I highly recommend tapping into Kris’s talent and getting a reading, you will not be disappointed!” – Theresa, California
“Kris is an amazing teacher and writer full of light, wisdom and emanates joy in her teachings. Also the best Tarot card reader. Have recommended several friends to have readings and Kris is always generous, bringing light to the issues with insight and accuracy. Love her highly recommended her classes and readings.” – Colleen, California
“Kris has such a nurturing warmth and love that just oozes from her every word and act and then you couple it with a natural intuitiveness, skills with tarot cards, and her business savvy, and you have one very special and unique women who thrives in this realm! I loved our soul session together; it was affirming for the direction I’m going in creatively, personally, and professionally and encouraging as well to continue listen to my instincts and intuition in all aspects of my life. I highly recommend doing a business soul strategy session with Kris if you’re going in a new direction with your business or creating a new one from the ground up.” – Rachel, California
Join me and Kris for an online Tarot party
Wednesday March 19 1-2 PM pacific / 4-5 PM Eastern
My friend Kris Seraphine and I will be celebrating our successful fundraisers and fundraising for our final student Aminata.
We giving out Tarot readings to everyone who donates $25 or more!
(And if you’ve supported the fundraisers for Her Future Foundation in the past, that counts, too!)
We’re now just $550 away from our final goal of $700 – which is 22 donations of $25.
Come and share with your friends so we can reach our goal. Let’s make a big impact together.
More information:
What is the cause?
We are celebrating our success with our previous fundraiser for students, & We are raising college fees for our last student, Amanita from Sierra Leone.
Year 3 pharmacy degree student
Orphaned, her parents died shortly after enrolling in college
comes from a city with low female literacy in Sierra Leone
Aminata’s mother (only parent) died and she does not have the support to continue school without help. She is in her third year studying pharmacy at university. This degree will ensure she will have a job to support herself. Total fees are $700.
Why it matters
It is rare for women to go to university there so we want to make sure she doesn’t have to drop out before she can finish. Only 1 out of 5 women in the city where she is from can read a sentence, so it’s a shame for this tragedy to force her to drop out of the most prestigious medical university in the country. 1% of women get any college education.
Aminata said without this degree her only job alternative is constantly hunting unreliable part-time jobs doing hard-labor, like hand washing laundry. But the degree will ensure her a steady career like her mother hoped for her.
Or you can donate through GivenGain if you prefer to send it directly to the Her Future Foundation organization. There is a delay of 2-4 weeks before the funds arrive via GivenGain. We may have to apply your funds to a future fundraiser if we do not receive it in time. It will be added to our tallies when processed. Pay through GivenGain
I had some thoughts come to me today and I wanted to share in case they are helpful!
Lately many people are facing an unknown:
what will the future hold and what should I do next?
It’s normal to be unsure.
That is the VIBE of the moment right now.
Double down on your inner practices like journaling and healing Examine all competing parts that you have, different fears and needs and engage in dialogue. This may take time to sort through. Trust the process
((Note: There are a lot of cool ways to do this. Examples are Carl Jung’s active imagination techniques, Gendling’s Focusing practice, and Internal Family Systems exercises. Give them a google, search on youtube or check out some books at your local library!))
Do some inner exploring …
And trust that perhaps this moment is an opportunity.
Yes maybe you don’t like it! But maybe it is the birthcanal to shape you into the magnificent person you were born to become and evolve into now At the end of the day it is your choice: – Be patient or impatient with yourself and this moment – Trust yourself or not – Listen or ignore
Today is an eclipse- if you are able to give yourself some time and stay curiously listening within, you will probably have some new insights next week.
If you are looking for some answers or certainty about the future, you also might like to watch this video, “What does it mean to be Psychic?” It feels right for this moment, I’ll put it below.
If you’d like a personal intuitive reading or a reading for you, your book, or business for as little as $25, then come to our upcoming charity event. Keep scrolling down for all the info!
“Kris’s Tarot Card reading was insightful, enlightening, and spot-on. I have had many readings through the years and no one has provided as much accuracy and clarity as Kris. She truly forms a genuine connection and has an astounding comprehension of the messages within the cards. I highly recommend tapping into Kris’s talent and getting a reading, you will not be disappointed!” – Theresa, California
“Kris is an amazing teacher and writer full of light, wisdom and emanates joy in her teachings. Also the best Tarot card reader. Have recommended several friends to have readings and Kris is always generous, bringing light to the issues with insight and accuracy. Love her highly recommended her classes and readings.” – Colleen, California
“Kris has such a nurturing warmth and love that just oozes from her every word and act and then you couple it with a natural intuitiveness, skills with tarot cards, and her business savvy, and you have one very special and unique women who thrives in this realm! I loved our soul session together; it was affirming for the direction I’m going in creatively, personally, and professionally and encouraging as well to continue listen to my instincts and intuition in all aspects of my life. I highly recommend doing a business soul strategy session with Kris if you’re going in a new direction with your business or creating a new one from the ground up.” – Rachel, California
Join me and Kris for an online Tarot party
Wednesday March 19 1-2 PM pacific / 4-5 PM Eastern
My friend Kris Seraphine and I will be celebrating and fundraising for our final student Aminata and
giving out Tarot readings to everyone who donates $25 or more!
We’re now just $550 away from our final goal of $700 – which is 22 donations of $25.
Come and share with your friends so we can reach our goal. Let’s make a big impact together.
More information:
What is the cause?
We are celebrating our success with our previous fundraiser for students, & We are raising college fees for our last student, Amanita from Sierra Leone.
Year 3 pharmacy degree student
Orphaned, her parents died shortly after enrolling in college
comes from a city with low female literacy in Sierra Leone
Aminata’s mother (only parent) died and she does not have the support to continue school without help. She is in her third year studying pharmacy at university. This will ensure she will have a job to support herself.
Why it matters
It is rare for women to go to university there so we want to make sure she doesn’t have to drop out before she can finish. Only 1 out of 5 women in the city where she is from can read a sentence, so it’s a shame for this tragedy to force her to drop out of the most prestigious medical university in the country. 1% of women get any college education.
Aminata said without this degree her only job alternative is constantly hunting unreliable part-time jobs doing hard-labor, like hand washing laundry. But the degree will ensure her a steady career like her mother hoped for her.
Thanks for coming. We only need about $700 total for her. That’s 28 donations of $25.
Please spread the word.
It will change Aminata’s life. This is my last fundraising goal for the season!
How much is the Tarot Party?
Everyone who donates $25 or more between now and the March 19 party can get a live Tarot reading if you come to the party!
Also, if you have given to our previous fundraisers for Ismatu and Her Future Foundation since December, you are eligible for a reading as long as we have the time!
Feel free to come and support even if you haven’t donated–you might hear something that resonates.
Or you can donate through GivenGain if you prefer to send it directly to the Her Future Foundation organization. There is a delay of 2-4 weeks before the funds arrive via GivenGain. We may have to apply your funds to a future fundraiser if we do not receive it in time. It will be added to our tallies when processed. Pay through GivenGain
Lots has been going on, and life is up and down, but I keep finding my way up.
Today I am sharing:
an article I wrote on what to focus on if you are overwhelmed.
an upcoming Tarot for Charity Event
And good news! We completed our fundraiser to send Ismatu to college! More below.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, I wrote something for you:
What should you do if you are overwhelmed?
When things feel chaotic, in my opinion, the best thing you can do is look at your foundation.
It’s stressful and overwhelming, so it can be hard to know where to start–all you have to do is pick something foundational from this list below.
Work on any part of your foundation– When in doubt, you really cannot go wrong.
Shore up your foundation and you will feel less anxiety and more grounded.
Feel free to make your own list, but for me, my foundation includes:
My Mental Health:
getting support or therapy; assessing how I am feeling; determining where I need boundaries, or what I am stressed about and taking action accordingly; spending time with friends and hobbies that support mental health.
My Relationship with Myself:
changing my self talk or perception; having more self compassion; forgiving my mistakes so I can move on while learning from them; having patience with the fact that I need rest or other things and meeting those needs that I have.
My Physical Health:
making doctor appointments; exercising; deciding meals to cook; eating well; taking vitamins; showering.
My Home:
getting functional shelves or containers; decluttering old items; organizing my things; cleaning things; repairing things; car maintenance
My Presentation:
playing with everything in my wardrobe; finding items that are missing; enjoying how I look; getting a haircut or color; trying a new hairstyle; wearing makeup I have or deciding what I need. (I find when I look good, I feel better.)
My Admin:
taxes; paying bills; processing mail; dealing with paperwork that needs doing; organizing budgets; renewing passports; requesting documents.
Yes, that is a lot of things.
You do not have to tackle all of this at once, think of this list as a list of OPPORTUNITIES to feel better: you can start with whatever feels most natural and easy for you.
As you begin to build a solid foundation bit by bit, you gain strength. Each step makes it easier to handle other parts of the list, and your foundation becomes wider and stronger. You will feel the difference.
That’s what makes something foundational– it sits at the root under all the little stuff. It is enduring which means the energy you spend there will pay off greatly in time.
Things have been stressful for me since my dad died in 2021. Believe me I had a lot to deal with.
Accordingly, I’ve gone to my roots and foundation, continually reflecting on how to shore up my foundation. Over the past few years I chipped away at this list.
Now I can really see a big difference. It has really been evident recently how far I have come. I no longer have those niggles of feeling like my life is on fire.
I know it can be overwhelming especially in the beginning.
Here are three ways I can help if you are overwhelmed:
1. Optimism
If you don’t think it’s possible to feel less chaos in your life…you are probably right.
I created a low cost Program called Optimism to help you feel it is possible to be successful.
And it’s about getting things done.
It’s a home study course that includes a class to help you get started on doing all the things that will help you have a more positive outlook on life. This includes helping you find what is foundational for you to focus on right now.
The workbook included will help you to set goals, and mark your progress week by week. You’ll have tools to address challenges and keep track of what is working the best.
Will I be seeing you on Wednesday?
Reserve your free seat here 
highly recommended her classes and readings.” – Colleen, California
