If You Were Really Brave Today
Big adventure can feel crazy.
Four months into our family’s year living abroad, I still catch myself a bit surprised as I wake every day to learn a new language and try to grasp the fact that my dearest friends and family are 5,300 miles away.
Though I don't feel the miles in my heart, being in a whole new land does require enormous resilience and grace. I realize now why so many families who say they want to live abroad for a year, never do. It's a big ordeal, and it feels crazy sometimes.
But hey: We are living in a time of atrocious devastation. Hurricanes, wildfire, war, this planet is writhing with fury, calling for Love.
If adventure awakens us to be more present to what matters in life, more willing to show up and stand for it — then it is worth a bit of "crazy."
Adventure lifts me up to be more of service to life and helps the dark moments fade into fuller color. Every day I feel more confident, adaptable, and attentive to life than I did the day before.
Is there an adventure calling your name? One that really tugs you deep inside, one you know is meant to bring your life into fuller color?
An adventure that's big for you may not be big for someone else. Maybe you'd like to take a month off social media. Or go kayaking in Bali. Commit. See what happens. You can always change your mind next week.
Free Workshop for October: especially for parents
This month's free workshop is a 27-minute interview with Heidi Grainger Russell of Hand in Hand Parenting. During our talk Heidi shares tips for parents on staying strong in your values while navigating relationship interactions that challenge your parenting style. These tips can be especially useful as the often-
stressful holiday season nears, since you might spend time with people who don't exactly share your approach to parenting. To hear Heidi's insights on honoring your child, your values, and being confident even in the face of conflict, download our free workshop here before it's gone on Oct 31st.
Now for the Brave Part
Our planet is in uproar. No one is immune. Life is short, these bodies don't live forever, and love is what's worth living for. If you were really brave today... what would you do? Or say, accept, or forgive? It's a question worth asking. I'll share my answer in next month's newsletter.
That's it, friends.
Sometimes highly expressive people like me need to turn more inwardly to the very footsteps we're taking. So this month's newsletter is brief because I'm tending more to myself these days, in part so I can be of greater service to All of Life.
However brief, I hope I've brought your soul a smile. You are loved, you are important, and you are beautiful beyond belief.
Love,
Jessica Rios, Founder
Leaning into Light
P.S. I never thought I'd hug my "spirit animal," a real blue whale, but it was the natural thing to do when I came upon one last week at Gothenburg's Natural History Museum. Ummmm, here's where I should tell you it costs $4 USD for a season pass to five of this city's museums. Go Sweden!