Friday Greetings: Letting Our Hearts Be Known
The doorway into thanks
From this week’s Thursday with Peggy at the Naumkeag Tulip Festival
Friday greetings,
Somehow, it seems fitting to end this week with a poem, one of my favorites. It speaks to so much I hold dear.
Praying
by Mary Oliver
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot,
or a few small stones; just
pay attention, and then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate; this isn’t
a contest, but the doorway
into thanks and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
*
Thank you for your comments and private notes this week. Wow. I have saved them all in a 15-page (!) document, and will look at it anytime I need a reminder that I’m exactly where (and who) I’m supposed to be.
*
I leave early (early, early) Sunday morning for L.A. and the final retreat of the Jewish Studio Project Creative Facilitator Training program. When I return next week, I’ll be a certified Creative Facilitator of the Jewish Studio Process. I’m flying out with my hevruta partner, who has become a true friend over these two years. I’m looking forward to the time in community and the perspective that 30,000 feet tends to bring.
*
Here’s my prayer for us today:
May we open doorways to thanks & walk through in wonder.
May we pay attention to where we are paying attention.
May we remember that beauty is never a waste of time.
May we listen to the silences where wisdom blooms.
May we remember the power of a few words.
May we marvel at the tenacity of the weeds.
May we make space for each other’s voices.
May we let our hearts be known.
What is stirring for you, in you? What if you could take your time? What if you could let your heart be known?
Shabbat Shalom and love,
Jena
Upcoming Writing Group | May 12-31 🌸
In a wonderful instance of mutual fandom and love of nurturing creative community, I'm so excited to be teaming up with Jessica Smock and Stephanie Smith Sprenger, founders of The HerStories Project and the
community.
We'll be using 10 prompts from my new book, Fierce Encouragement: 201 Writing Prompts for Staying Grounded in Fragile Times, as springboards to the page.
This promises to be a lovely and low-key spring opportunity to (re)connect with yourself and kindred spirits. Come join us! You can also add a 30-minute coaching session with yours truly when you register.
Follow Midstack here:
Upcoming book signings and readings 🌿
Saturday, May 10 | 1:00-4:00pm
Barnes & Noble – Blue Back Square, 60 Isham Rd, West Hartford, CT
Just in time for Mother’s Day!
Friday, June 6 | 7:00pm
Amherst Books – 8 Main St, Amherst, MA
Valley folks, come on out!
Friday, June 13 | 5:00pm
Jewish Community of Amherst – 742 Main St, Amherst, MA
Stay for a wonderful musical Shabbat service at 6:00pm!
Friday, June 27 | TBA
Amherst Books – 8 Main St, Amherst, MA
In conversation with Cristina Olivetti, my dear friend and author of the new memoir, About Bliss: Fighting for My Trans Son's Life, Joy, and Fertility (out on June 19).
Follow Cristina:
Get Yourself Some Fierce Encouragement:
✨ Amazon
✨ BookBaby
✨ To order signed/inscribed copies from me directly, Venmo $23 (includes s/h)
✨ By check: Contact me for my address
Jena, I'm just catching up on your reflections after returning from travel, and my kipa is off to you in your decision to step back from the diving board. Our lives are made up as much by what we choose to do as by what we choose not to. Every good wish to you as you reconfigure and move on. With love and admiration, Rayna
"May we pay attention to where we are paying attention." ❤️❤️❤️