What Brings You Joy?

 

Social media tends to focus on the negative. The algorithms identify stories, articles, opinions or websites that tend to support the world view based upon  our ‘clicks’. 

But I tend to randomly click on articles for a different view. Ultimately, however, I want to concentrate on what brings me joy. 

Books bring me joy. Finding a stellar short series on Netflix brings me joy. Discovering a new recipe brings me joy. Reading about the triumph of an individual over adversity brings me joy.

Seeing that someone becomes open to listening and accepting different views brings me joy. Seeing a young person disregard negativity and reaching for the stars brings me joy.

My parents raised me to believe anything is possible.Gumption. Curiosity. Interest. Wanderlust. Taking chances. Embracing differences. Exploring the world. Looking outside the typical viewpoint to embrace what the diversity of our world cultures has to offer- widens our perspectives and helps us to eschew our biases.

Travel engenders in us an understanding that we are but a small particle in the universe. It gives us range and perspective of scale. We learn that we live in a limited world view. And, we see that what we perceive as normal is anything but normal.

I am grateful that I’ve learned to find joy in all of my disparate experiences and appreciate that I’ve been exposed to different world views. I wish every American had the opportunity to look at the outside so they can appreciate the blessings we enjoy. 

Pantone Again Declares A Ridiculous Color of the Year~~WHITE

Technically, Pantone has named ‘ Cloud  Dancer’ as its color for 2026. The Pantone website describes the Cloud Dancer ‘color’ as calming- ‘ a billowy, balanced white imbued with a feeling of serenity.’

The Pantone color sample, borrowed from the Pantone website, is shown in the upper left corner of this piece. From a scientific perspective, white is the absence of color. As such, Pantone has named the absence of color as the color of 2026! 

Considering the political controversy surrounding the term ‘white’ in recent years, this selection appears tone deaf if not just idiocy. In political parlance there is white privilege, Nazi , White Christian Nationalist,  Fascist, MAGA, Karens, haters, deplorables, poor white trash, magats, colonizers, oppressors, racists, and uneducated hicks.

From a fashion perspective, white has limited appeal if one has pets or children or enjoys anything with tomato sauce. White linen yellows rather quickly if not laundered immediately after wearing. White shoes are generally ugly. White pants are notoriously challenging to wear more than once. White shirts rarely last more than one season. Overly white teeth are glaring and distracting. In colder climates, white is difficult to wear. Notwithstanding updated guidance from the fashion industry, white is best left to summer months in floating, gossamer fabrics. But, white needs a scarf, bold jewelry, or an attitude to pull it off. Most of us are not Gwyneth or Meghan.

In the decorative world, I look at white as the default paint color when an apartment is between renters, when a house is up for sale and should show no personality, or there is a lack of imagination. Again, nobody with pets, children, those who entertain and serve red wine,  or those who enjoy gardening or any hobby that involves dirt should have a white sofa or white carpet unless heavily invested in Scotch Guard, club soda, Wine Away or has Stanley Steamer on speed dial. Perhaps Cloud Dancer will work for an Architectural Digest spread, but not for real life among we, the great unwashed.

Once again, Pantone has missed the mark. 2026 Pantone gets an F-.

Harry Sussex Has No Right to Criticize Our President

 

The former working royal, who is currently residing in the USA, has zero credibility in criticizing the POTUS. Those of us who are citizens with the privilege to vote can criticize. Many of us exercise that right on a regular basis.

However, the erstwhile Duke of Sussex, who is abrogating his duties for personal pleasure with his self important spousal unit who spouts paeans to family whilst eschewing any relationships with her husband’s and her own family, has no credibility. Harry Sussex and his wife have devolved into memes, self important media games, and hypocrites of unimaginable levity as they troll the American public for any scintilla of relevance. 

Americans find pseudo ‘royalty’ entertaining as clickbait. But we have no use for grifters, wannabes, self important media games,  misguided faux ‘humanitarians’, or those with shell charities that scam acolytes.

Harry Sussex and his wife could have done a lot of good in the world working within the system. But, they wanted money. They wanted media attention. They want to ‘fit in’. But, they do not have the self awareness to do it with elan.

They need to apologize to their families, eat some humble pie, agree to button their lips, or….. give up the titles they use for personal gain.

I respect the Kardashians because they are brilliant marketers and actually produce products people want to buy. The Sussex clan are just delusional examples of people who aspire beyond their abilities.

And, Harry- you are here as a guest of the USA. I can criticize the POTUS. You cannot.  Criticize our government on a tourist visa or green card- risk deportation. 

Practice Yoga for Flexibility, Peace & Harmony- Dispels TDS

 

If I could encourage everyone to do something for self care, I recommend yoga. The practice of yoga is a personal journey that lowers blood pressure, engenders a sense of balance and calm, promotes wellbeing and positivity, helps with flexibility, improves mental awareness, focuses on self care, and combines centuries of proven spiritual and physical healing without pain, medication, indoctrination, expensive  equipment, religion, political views or competition.

Yoga is an individual practice that is accessible to everyone. It can be gentle, spiritual, energetic or flexible for one’s particular space.

Yoga helps me calm my mind and body, focus on breathing, and do what is right for me on any given day.

Yoga practitioners are peaceful. Many instructors are filled with light and positive energy. 

If more people practiced yoga and meditation, there would be less divisiveness and hate. There is no room for negativity on the mat. Yogis and yoginis tend to be positively focused, look for good in people in the world and try to avoid judgement. 

Whenever I conclude a practice, I feel lighter, more relaxed,  better able to face the world, and filled with gratitude for just showing up. Yoga is self care. There is no negativity in yoga. Try it. Find peace. Let go of anger. Let go of resentment. Accept that we have no control over other people, places and things- only how we respond. Try being kind instead of critical. You may live a longer, healthier life as a result.