Well, the fact that I'm writing to you today must mean that we survived the past week. Whew! It sure was a wild one.

As a trauma survivor, I've noticed some surprising sensations in my body and emotions today. Beginning with a bit of a "freeze" response; then, wondering if it's okay to relax after so much time of holding; and finally, starting to think that it may just be safe enough now to take a deep breath. For real. 

In... and... out...

This doesn't mean the work is over and...

Even though tomorrow is election day, did you know that in many states, early in-person voting is possible?

Find out here if you can vote today (if you haven't already). Go to 866-OUR-VOTE for information on voting in your state.

Whether you vote directly—by filling in bubbles—or passively—by opting out—make no mistake that you are casting your ballot.

The fact that there has never been an election with even 50% of the voting population voting is...

As an ethics-based vegan, July 4th has long been a complicated "holiday" for me. Millions of animals are terrified by fireworks and wildlife are harmed. Can you imagine how scary it must be to suddenly have explosions going off all around you? This is to say nothing about fireworks' contribution to fire danger.

As I learn more about the experiences of Indigenous people and the Africans who were forced to come to this country by those who would sell them to be enslaved, this "holiday"...

I've made a mistake. Actually, I've made lots of mistakes, but this is a big one.

In my worry about making a misstepping, I've kept too quiet about something that really matters to me.

As I wake up to the injustices that have been there all along, more and more, I am looking for ways I can help. I'm hearing other white people say the same.

It's important that we have these conversations, that we listen to voices from people of color, and that we open ourselves to learning.

The...

I'm so excited to invite you to an online event I'm going to this Saturday, June 13 at 11a-12:30p Pacific. It's a Justice Jam: Dance for Black Lives benefit, and I hope you'll join us! Get your ticket here.

Here's more info from the organizers of the event:

It's taken way too long for me to write more about this here. I've done it on social media, but not enough on my own website. Why? I could name a lot of reasons, including that I was raised in and live in a culture steeped in systemic racism. Also...

I was worried that I'd get it wrong. That I couldn't say everything in one little post, so maybe I shouldn't say anything. Worried that I wouldn't do it perfectly.

But, I'm tired of being afraid of speaking up. I want to use my privilege of...

I've noticed a surprising feeling of grief about things "going back to normal." I don't want to go back. Our system is deeply dysfunctional and there is so much to fix. How will we ever do it all? I don't know.

There are things I like about the way it is right now. Yes, I know that I am in a very privileged position and there are billions who are suffering and it's not ideal. And yet, consumption is down and that is such a good thing.

In my version of re-envisioning our world, the broken things...

On April 30, we did a thing, Olivia (our 13-year-old) and me. I've wanted to do this for a few years now. It's a reclaiming of myself, my body, my life. Releasing the past, what no longer serves me, and maybe never did.

Living in a culture that has tried to define and tell me who I should be got in the way of my ability to see what I believe and who I truly am. I am now living more in My Truth. It's a process, for sure, and I expect it will be a lifelong journey.

And so, Olivia shaved my...

Have you heard the one about the average 4-year-old who laughs 300 times per day and the average 40-year-old who laughs only four times a day? Whoa!

While that turns out to be an urban legend, I have no doubt that most children do laugh a whole lot more than most adults do. And that we could all use more laughter in our lives.

For the past couple of years, my husband and I have intentionally sought out opportunities to laugh. Searching for comedies over dramas. Life itself is dramatic...