Jai is truly an amazing woman. She is warm and welcoming to all; she serves her friends and family tirelessly and enthusiastically. She is a beloved member of her community, and for so much more than her ability to aid in the cooking and creation of some of the most delicious meals I’ve ever had … More Shout-Out: Jai Wang, Mekong Bistro/Sisters Fusion
If there’s one thing that’s resoundingly apparent about Nate, it’s that he loves to help people. And when Nate talks help, he means it. There’s nothing flippant or flaky in the equation. It’s clear-cut, concise, coherent: how can I best support you? Where are the areas that you’re lacking direction, resources, wherewithal? How can I … More Shout-Out: Nate Frazier, Swell PDX
I met Meta in the mid-2000s, when we were both music students at the Shepherd School at Rice University. I admired her from afar for several years, while our paths crossed daily in core curriculum theory, history, and ear training classes; our relationship deepened when we formed a trio and played together on several occasions. … More Shout-Out: Meta Weiss, Weiss-Requiro Duo
Today I honor a beautiful healer who I’ve had the privilege of working and playing with for several years. Leah Hansen is a practitioner with magic hands and incandescent energy. There aren’t many massage therapists I know who can foray the realm between earth and spirit, but Leah manages to do just that. She is … More Shout-Out to Leah Hansen, Dosha Healer
This time last year, I launched this site with the intention of honoring some of the incredible people in my life. This time this year, I’ve got something else delicious in store! … More December Generosity, the 2017 Edition: Shout-Outs and Love Letters!
Intention: kindness. When sitting down to write of kindness, I feel a quiet metaphorical smile begin to spread across my insides. I feel in my body an ease, a mellowing, a warmth. What a gift true kindness is; what a gesture of support. Kindness can shape-shift dramatically depending on the situation, the giver, the recipient. … More Travels, Day 18: Narita
Intention: savor. Yesterday, I spoke of joy; today’s intention might feel similar but has a decidedly different flavor. The concept of savoring brings with it an understanding that whatever pleasure is currently being experienced will not last. There is an understanding of the temporary nature of all things, including the highest highs and the sweetest … More Travels, Day 17: The Road Home
Intention: ENJOY! I’m a little embarrassed to admit that “joy” doesn’t always fall high on my priority list. It’s not that I don’t think it’s important, but more that setting aside time just to — what, experience pleasure?! — is often hard for me to justify. So many other things feel more pressing; amidst a … More Travels, Day 16: Ngapali Beach Bliss
Intention: assertiveness. There is a wise teacher I know who identified four primary types of communication that we humans navigate between: passive, aggressive, passive aggressive, and assertive. Those first three are defaults for many of us (particularly in situations when we feel afraid, vulnerable, or attacked), but I’ve found that fourth one to be a … More Travels, Day 15: Ngapali Beach
Intention: non-attachment. Letting go of expectations: this is something I will likely be challenged by throughout my lifetime. And there is a scientific reason for this: our memories are programmed to recall “highs,” “lows,” and “endings.” There are so many times when I essentially completely disregard the process of something, fixating only on whatever emerged … More Travels, Day 14: To Ngapali Beach, we go!
The Generosity Chronicles 