Friday Dispatch: Don't Pull Up the Roses
Slowly flowing into June
Friday greetings,
In a dream this week, I knew my weeding frenzy had gone too far when I came home to see one of the rose bushes in a heap on the lawn. I ran to find the high school student who was simply doing what I had asked – pulling up everything – and told him to hold the presses.
A landscape gardener suddenly appeared (how convenient!) and I asked her if she would walk me through what was growing. What should we keep? What needed pruning or cutting back or shaping? Was anything potentially harmful or invasive? What looked like a weed but was actually something that just hadn’t yet bloomed? How could we best care for this tiny patch of earth?
We don’t need Freud for this one.
Slow down, the dream told me. Take your time assessing the (literal) landscape before making any major alterations. Consult with guides who may know things you don’t.
Most importantly: Don’t pull up the rose bushes.
As we flow into June, this message rings loud and clear for me. I share it here in case it has any resonance for you, too.
Shabbat Shalom and love,
Jena
p.s. Upcoming readings, writing groups, and retreats below!
TONIGHT! {In-Person}
JULY 11-21, 2025 {Virtual}
Limited to 11 people!
Learn more & register:
www.jenaschwartz.com/the-sound-of-real-life-happening-1
AUGUST 21, 2025 {In-Person}
As you can see from these outtakes of us and the bio we wrote together, Isabella Dellolio & I have fun – and we hope and expect that you will, too, when you come join us for ONE YOU: THREE PORTRAITS, a summer retreat here in Western Mass on August 21.
Through writing and photography, we have each found a way to build a life around our respective passions. What we share is a love of storytelling, connection, fun, and authenticity. Both in our 50s, we have found that the freer we get with our own quirkiness, the more we open ourselves to joy. At a time when the world is full of heartache, we believe that it is a powerful thing to make space for self-expression, creativity, and community. We are so excited to be offering this retreat, our first collaboration, and we can’t wait to see/meet you!