Issue #5  //  Make New Friends, But Keep the Old 👭

“Make new friends, but keep the old. 

One is silver, and the other, gold.” 

- Girl Scout song 

From Melia:

Like most of us in this geographically spread out but tech-connected world, I have friends who live in different parts of the country and abroad (Gill being Exhibit A!). I feel like they’re still part of my inner circle even though we don’t talk very often anymore. They’ve been part of such formative times in my life that I know that we’ll pick up right where we left off.

Still, I’ve been wanting to reconnect with them, to know what’s happening in their lives and to feel the joy of their presence. So this year I made this one of my goals on my 19 for 2019 list: “Once a month, schedule a catch-up session with one friend I’ve been out of touch with.”

Zeroing in on that goal by seeing it every day on my fridge has helped me make it happen, which has been a highlight of this year. The longest study on happiness is clear that THE key to a long, happy, healthy life is satisfying relationships, and I’ve felt those benefits in laughter, shared experience, and support.

I texted one of my college roommates last week when she came to mind, and we ended up scheduling a Google Hangout over the weekend. It amazed me that we could go from being out of touch for a year or two to suddenly connected again.

Catching up with old friends feels like being wrapped up in a soft quilt, warm and safe. I know that I can be totally and fully myself with them, and they will still love and support me. And I, of course, am happy to do the same for them.

Like the Girl Scout song says, newer relationships are precious, too, and it gives me a big happiness boost to have coffees and lunches with my girlfriends here in Jackson, and family hangouts with the friends who also have young kids. I recently reached out to someone I’ve always wanted to get to know better and met up with her for a lovely morning coffee.

Is there an old friend you can connect with today, just to say, “Thinking of you”? A potential new friend you can invite to grab a coffee or a beer sometime soon? 

Relationships, new and old, take some nurturing, but even little touchpoints here and there – a quick text, a link posted on a friend's Facebook timeline, a tag in the comments on a post they’d enjoy – pay big dividends for our health and happiness. 

🎙 Latest Episode: #17 - Balancing the Past, Present, and Future

How much do you tend to long for the past, wish for the future, or appreciate the present?

Balancing how you perceive the past, present, and future can help you be happier, healthier, and more satisfied in life. We talk about the research behind this, our own habits, and five strategies for developing the ideal balance.

• Listen to the episode and read the show notes 

👉 Steal This Tip:  Savor nostalgia intentionally.

Look back on happy memories to inspire more optimism for the present and the future.

The mind processes this stroll down memory lane as if it’s happening right now. It increases production of dopamine in the brain, which can give you a feel-good boost in the moment and a positive attitude about what's to come.

More on this: 

• Shine article: “Need to Find Your Motivation? Turn Up the Nostalgia”

via @thimblepress

👋 ICYMI

Episode #10: Making Your Dreams Real with Kristen Ley🎙

Kristen Ley is a creative entrepreneur who lives in Jackson, Mississippi and has grown an international following. Her studio, Thimblepress, creates a variety of delightful products, from wall art to greeting cards to party goods.

We were thrilled to talk to Kristen about how she transformed her passions into a successful business – and what advice she has for others for staying joyful and true to themselves as they pursue their own dreams.

This is our most downloaded episode, and several listeners have said that it’s helped them realize that they don’t have to be the best at what they do to be fulfilled by it.

Listen to the episode for more of Kristen's wisdom. 

😄 Things We Text Each Other

Melia was tickled by this headline about (Ross) Bjork:

😍 Stuff We Love Right Now

On the Interwebs  🖥

• This Ad May Move You to Tears 😭 

  Samson Bonkeabantu Brown, a transgender Toronto-based artist, stars in this ad where his father teaches him to shave for the first time. To have this story at the heart of a mainstream ad is a sign of progress!

• Email Like a Boss 

  If you've found yourself apologizing and minimizing yourself via email, this handy little infographic about emailing with self-assurance is for you (h/t Ann Handley).

• Dark Comedy, Strong Female Leads

  From Gill: Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are fantastic in Dead to Me, a Netflix series about the close friendship that develops between a high-strung widow looking for the hit-and-run driver who killed her husband and a quirky free spirit with a secret. I just started watching – and I'm hooked.

In Our Ears  🎧

• From Melia: 
  • Happiness Spells: I use this podcast to calm me down and shift my mood from stressed out to grateful. In her soothing voice, Amanda Meyncke reads a five-minute list of life’s greatest pleasures and small joys, like “Fog rolling across the road in the morning, not too thick, just magical.” A few longer episodes are designed to help you sleep. The Instagram account is a delight to follow, as well!
  • The Wild Reeds is a folksy band from L.A. with a mellow sound and good beat. I especially love “Capable.” I’m also enjoying The Head & The Heart’s new album, “Missed Connection” in particular!
  • Glennon Doyle’s talk, “First the Pain, then the Rising,” delivered onstage for Oprah’s Super Soul Sessions and adapted for the Super Soul Conversations podcast, just floored me. Sharing her own story of a painful divorce, she encourages us to sit with suffering instead of running away from it, because that’s where the exponential growth happens.
    

• From Gill:
  • Just Some Light Listening: The Mueller Report: The Findings of the Special Counsel Investigation is available for free on Audible. I know, just what you need to unwind after a long day. But I do want to read it, so I’ve been listening in short bursts. The audio format makes it easier to take in a lot of information – and it’s not boring.
  • Lake Street Dive has been playing on loop in my apartment for months now. The band blends rock, folk, soul and other genres, and it’s my go-to when I need a mood boost or a little kitchen karaoke (often after my previous rec). My faves from the new album are: “Good Kisser” and “Baby Don’t Leave Me Alone With My Thoughts.”
    

On Our Plates  🍽 

• From Melia: These are great to bring to a cookout and are impressive-looking but easy to make: 
  • Phyllo Cup Appetizers: Did you know you can buy these phyllo cups in the freezer section at the grocery store? (True for the U.S., at least!) Fill them with whatever strikes your fancy. Darren likes to do one savory and one sweet; like brie and jam, and a cheeseburger bite with seasoned ground turkey, tomato, cheddar, and dill.
  • Strawberry Icebox Pie: This is a cold, creamy crowd-pleaser -- even the kids loved it! I substituted the frozen mixed berries that we had on hand.
    

• From Gill: I’m always looking for recipes that are flavorful and interesting… but also vegetarian/vegan-friendly. These pass both tests (and they’re gluten-free!):
  • Herb-Packed Falafel: Soak the garbanzos overnight, then blend them (uncooked) with fresh herbs and seasonings. They fry up perfectly crisp and tender.
  • Roasted Beet Hummus: It’s the most gorgeous pink color, and the beets add a touch of natural sweetness to savory hummus. 

If you like the Semi-Together podcast, why not share pod with a friend who would enjoy it?

Until next time! 

Love,

Melia & Gill 😘😘

Enjoyed this newsletter? Forward it to a friend!

If you are that lucky friend, subscribe here.