All my pictures are either of flowers or of climbing. Once I start doing other things I might have more variety.
And here we are, last day of June. Half of this year is over.
The first half of this year was eventful for me. A lot happened at work, a lot happened at home, a lot happened around my personal goals.
I feel good about the progress I made and feel grateful for the ways in which I was able to move through some of the tougher parts.
Here’s what has helped me the most: – the morning exercise continues to be a way I can have some early wins in my day – the restorative yoga has been the single biggest life changing addition to my life. It pays dividends every single day – chatting with my friend Kelly weekly has been my one big connection I’ve kept this year and it has been a lifeline – my climbing has improved exponentially since I’ve leaned in and continued to invest in it – my coach at work has helped me synthesize my thoughts and feelings at a time when it’s been hard to think at all – I’ve loved reading, doing art, journaling and all other activities that help me fill my own cup – the 100 days of wellness effort really created some fundamental habits that have stuck long after project completion and I am very grateful for it
For the second half of this year I wish for more adventures, more wilderness, and more connection. Despite the challenges I’ve loved spending all this time with my family and really desperately miss my extended family and my friends.
Despite everything, I have grown and learned a lot this year so far. I am grateful for this moment and really hoping that the second half is full of adventures and joy and connection.
As I am onboarding a new leader at work and mentoring two other new employees, I’ve been thinking a lot about beginner’s mind and the resistance to change.
I’ve been thinking about where I’m doing things in my life “the way I’ve always done them” and where I’m open to new possibilities.
What would happen if I put all of my assumptions away and looked at my life with fresh eyes? Is that even possible?
What if I wrote down my goals and then had to think of 6 different ways to get there? Would that help me realize that there is no one right way? Would that help me be open to ways that I can’t brainstorm by myself?
As we talk about going “back” to “normal” life the way things were, I’m wondering if this is the perfect time to revisit some assumptions and challenge myself to be more open minded. More creative and resourceful.
Yes to shifting perspective and yes to questioning assumptions.
We are one week away from being halfway through this year.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how the first half of this year went and what I would like from the second half of this year.
At work, we usually do second half planning. I was thinking today that this practice doesn’t have to be reserved for work only.
It’s a perfect time to do my own personal H2 planning.
What are my list of start-stop-continue items I would like do? Where are things working where I want to invest more and where are things working just right and what things are not working and I just don’t want to try to continue them and where do I want to pivot? What if anything do I want to add to my list for the next six months? And does that mean there are things I would need to stop to be able to make room for that?
I love love loved Loren’s previous book in this series and could not wait to get my hands on the second one. I had adored Hollyn and Jasper both and really loved the writing. I didn’t realize this book was going to be about two different characters but I quickly grew to love Andi and Hill as well and found myself rooting for them.
I felt like there was less up-front character development in this story so I didn’t find myself as attached to the characters as I had in the previous book and the attraction and steam showed up more quickly in this book. But my favorite part of the first book in the series was how the characters are flawed and real in their own ways and how they are struggling with who they are and how worthy that makes them in a romance. And then they find each other and are so open and kind to these insecurities.
This is just as true in this novel with Andi and her anxiety and need to go slow due to her own past experiences and Hill and his grappling with having lost one of his legs. Here are two people struggling with life and trying to navigate their way and they find each other, honor each other’s flaws and love each other because of it all.
And there are some steamy steamy scenes in this book!
I loved the sneak peek of Hollyn and Jasper, too! I really hope there are more books to come in this series!
with gratitude to Dreamscape Media and netgalley for an advanced audio in exchange for an honest review
I have read and enjoyed Gelman’s previous books in this series so I knew I was going to love this one as well and it did not disappoint. Jen Dixon and her sense of humor juxtaposed with serious and real struggles of juggling midlife with kids, school obligations, career, and parents allows you to laugh at the absurdity of life while bringing a lot of heart to it.
This short book covers marriage and exes, navigating custody, taking care of aging parents, trying to get a new career off the ground, finding ways to raise money for a school auction and more. Gelman’s ability to blend heart and humor into these otherwise serious and complicated issues makes it a joy to read and laugh as you shake your head and cheer for her and her characters as they navigate life and its complexities.
full of heart, full of laughter.
with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio in exchange for an honest review
I’ve read Alexandra Franzen’s blog for many, many years and I enjoy her style of storytelling with heart and her ability to get to the heart of the matter and both make you think and make you feel . She can instill courage while making sure you feel held.
Many of the stories in this collection are of people who have had major setbacks in their lives and have found ways to move past them and many have found ways to create very powerful outcomes as a direct result of the setback. (So examples of not just “you’re going to survive” but “you’re going to thrive.”)
There are a wide range of examples in the book and a wide range of stories. If you’re struggling or in the middle of a setback, this is a good reminder, a good pep talk, and some good advice to help shift that perspective. A reminder that life is long and we are resilient.
with gratitude to netgalley and OrangeSky Audio for an advanced audio in exchange for an honest review
This story has so many layers of content and context that giving a simple review of the plot doesn’t do it justice. On the surface it’s a gritty mystery about two dads whose married sons are murdered and when the police seemingly lose interest in digging deep, the dads decide to take matters into their own hands and find out what happened.
And yet there’s so much more.
One of the dads is white and the other is black and there are a lot of statements, observations and nuance around race and racism in this story. Neither of the dads was ok with their children being gay and it tackles homophobia and more. It tackles incarceration and the aftermath of what it does to a family. It tackles trust, revenge, family, and of course love.
This is a fast paced novel with a lot happening, the setting and mood are a part of the story, the characters are complex and jump off the page with their aliveness. The story tackles complicated and nuanced issues and pulls all these elements together with grace and ease.
You will remember this story long after you finish the book.
with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio in exchange for an honest review.
