Dear Friends,

I hope this missive finds you resilient among the changes of the world, especially if you are a member of a disenfranchised group affected by the shifts in power dynamics. I’ve been taking a class and mentoring students for another one at the Insight Meditation Center, where the breakout rooms inevitably circled back to our collective witness of suffering, how to support ourselves & each other. Likewise, it would be remiss of me to not begin the email to you by ignoring the Elephant In the Room, and offer my calendar to you if you would like to chat or simply sit together in camaraderie (or in collision!)

Still, life goes on and there remains much to be grateful for. As someone who habitually looks forward to the future, I must admit this is a practice that doesn’t come easily to me. Even as I flip through my electronic calendar with records of appointments, I wish I can do a better job conveying the friendships, excitement, and the stuff of life that made up these experiential highlights.

April-May:

• ‘s wedding (went with ), spent time with and Sam (Humankind Candles) who kindly hosted

• Went to NYC for Farcon, spent time with and Hsiao-Chi who kindly hosted, visited Empty Cloud Monastery with Sam as well

May-June:

• Attended Edge Esmeralda with for most of the month, got to hang out with Brian (Chao’s long time friend) and Eric (Brian’s college buddy) the whole time too. Spoke twice at the event about Reframe and developed Reframe Daily, a weekday digest of latest health discoveries that aren’t surfaced in regular news.

June-July:

• Camped in the Sierras with Yuhong

• Write of Passage alumni meetup, chatted with , , , Maile who needs to update her domain or something so I’m stuck linking her linkedin…

August-September:

• Attended a weeklong silent retreat with teachers Ines Freedman and Francisco Gable at the Insight Retreat Center

• Visited Iceland and the UK, kindly hosted by and Tobin in Bristol

Of course, these are experiences that are easier to share via photos and a few quick notes. I’m most grateful to those who continue to support me through challenges and struggles, the “stuff of life” that makes up the rest. When so kindly asked how I’ve been… what can I say? Continue to be blessed with connections made through the magic of the Internet, a place I hold so dear yet know it is changing. I grieve the loss yet know it makes way for the new unknown.

What have been your seasonal highlights since we last connected?

Warm Wishes,

Christin