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"Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." ― Gloria Steinem
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5 quick things –
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Aloha from Hawaii! 

Last year, I was booked to attend what turned out to be Thich Nhat Hanh's last public retreat at Plum Village Monastery, and I was too sick to attend. For me, it's one of the worst parts of living with chronic illness: missing things that I really want to be a part of... and that was a doozy of a thing to miss. I'm still sad about it.

Since then, I've doubled down on the idea of trying to study with some of our great elders before they leave this mortal coil–and so I am here on Maui at the one annual public retreat that Ram Dass attends in person. Many of you might know that he is also winding down his life, and I feel so grateful to have this opportunity before he passes on. (I actually got to witness Ram Dass, who is dying, watching a documentary about the fact that Ram Dass is dying. What a moment. 💓)

Traveling takes a lot out of me, health-wise, and I am missing my monkey's 20th birthday (!) to be here. I'm blessed to have a family that supports my dreams and ambitions. I hope you have the same.

    Okay, here are your 5 things for the week. ⏬
    SHAMELESS PLUG
    1. Thanks, People Magazine!

    Well, I am just thrilled to share that People Magazine declared my book a "Most Wanted" holiday gift. Yay! 

    And what's more, in addition to saying it's a good gift, they said it's a good way to get through the holidays. I'm delighted and couldn't agree more.

    (BTW, if you're buying it as a gift, I can send you signed book plates to put inside. Just reply to this email and tell me who to make them out to and where to mail them.)
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    send help
    2. I'm hiring. Know some awesome peeps?

    I'm hiring for two part-time positions, both with the potential to turn into full-time work:

    Job descriptions are available at the links above. These positions are virtual (meaning people can live anywhere) and offer both a lot of flexibility and a lot of potential. The right candidates are highly self motivated, shockingly organized, and excellent communicators.

    The work is super cool. I can't wait to put more out into the world with the help of some awesome new hires!
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    NOW READING
    3. Chernobyl but stay with me

    I bet you didn't see this one coming: I can't put down the book Midnight at Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster.

    This is a people-first story; it's very much about the humans who were involved on all levels. Yes, of course it is also about Soviet systems and obfuscation, but the author (who is an excellent storyteller) weaves a rich narrative tapestry using the extraordinarily varied threads of the human experience.

    Also, bonus: I am learning a ton about particle physics. I really recommend this one, regardless of whether you're typically into books like this.
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    PRACTICE TIPS
    4. videos x 2

    This week's free guided meditation video is a 10 minute meditation for sleep. (Yes, I am wearing my PJs.) 😴 It was by request–if you have any requests for future guided meditations, I'd love to hear them! Just reply to this email or leave a comment on YouTube.

    And also, I recently went on The Dr. Joy show (on Princeton Television), where I shared a ton of my favorite tips for stress and anxiety. You can watch the whole episode right here. She was awesome, and we had a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy the show!
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    NATURE IS AMAZING
    5. 🐍🥽💎

    When I retire, I hope I find an exercise as helpful to science as the snorkeling, sea-snake studying grandmothers of New Caledonia did.

    Why do some animals engage in same-sex relationships? Actually, the better question is, why not? (We don't know as much about evolution as we like to think we do.)

    Anyone want to hang out inside the Pulpí Geode with me? *jaw drops*

    Life is busy. I hope you have some room to breathe. Even if you have to hide in a bathroom, or sit alone in your car–make sure to take the time to clear the stale air out of the bottom of your lungs on occasion. You deserve fresh oxygen.
    Love,

    MEANWHILE, ON SOCIAL MEDIA . . . 
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    Liza Kindred

    This newsletter was written on the unceded land of the Kanaka ʻŌiwi, or Native Hawaiian people. (Via Native Land.)

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