I want to stay informed of everything that is happening. And like many of us right now, I go back and forth between doing real in-depth reading and writing and client work and surviving, and getting caught up in doomscrolling. I am trying to keep up on the news, trying make sense of things, and looking to figure out where I can best help. And just trying to find joy and dopamine. When I watch movies or sporting events, I am trying to single screen. I like setting games on my DVR so I can’t go online or I risk seeing the results. I like going on long walks or other adventures and leaving my phone at home (or at least trying to keep it in my pocket.) And of course, spending time with my cats.
There is a lot going on. I’d like to highlight items the resonated with me and brought me some understanding these last couple of weeks, and some joyful activities.
Things that I’m reading, watching and listening:
Reading
Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector
Eras Tour: 100 Years of Women’s Lacrosse In The United States
Portland Community College Strike news: I teach yoga through Community Education, but I’m a casual employee so non-union, but I stand in solidarity with the workers
The Handbasket – Why now is the time to be loudly anti-war
I am not (and have never been a morning person, so this article resonated: Chronodiversity: A Forgotten Aspect of Neurodiversity
Podcasts
Good Game with Sarah Spain – lots of excellent content on the Olympics, Paralympics, WLL and more!
Mentor Buffet podcast – Molly Seidel: How to Be There for Yourself
Former Lawyer Podcast – The Perfectionist Trap That Makes It Hard to Leave Law
Year of Mental Health – What’s the Cost of Saying Yes
Difference Makers: Philanthropy’s Blind Spot
Homecoming with Dr. Thema – On millennial grief and on joy
Watching
March Madness! NCAA Conference tournaments! Selection Sunday! URI Women won the Atlantic-10 and made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1996! UConn women easily won the Big East, while the men struggled and lost to St. John’s. Ready for the NCAA tournament next week.
Watching Women’s lacrosse: NCAA and Women’s Lacrosse League which played the Championship Series and is gearing up for its first full season
Joyful Activities
For the month of February, I participated in a 30-day wall ball gratitude challenge sponsored by PNW Native Lacrosse
I started playing Ultimate Frisbee for the first time in YEARS
I started coaching youth lacrosse
My friend and I went on an adventure around Portland for Pi(e) Day
All the flowers that are starting to come up in Oregon
Where can you find more joy this week?