Dear Readers,
Greetings from “casa blanca” in Argentina! It’s winter here and a new season of life for me and my family. Personally 2024 has required reflection on life’s times of transition. I’ve tried to do it with special attention to cultural and faith connections. Here is some of what I’ve written and found. I hope it encourages and enlightens!
IN MY OWN WORDS
Ghosts of Summer, Redbud Hyphen, 6/2024: I enjoyed writing this piece about leaps of faith inspired by my dad.
Remembering Life, Awake Our Hearts, 9/2023: This mini-essay recounts a hike that reminded me to be attentive ~ alive ~ in the moment.
INSPIRATION
Vogue Philippines: Last year 106-Year-Old Apo Whang-Od made history as the oldest ever Vogue cover model, but the story runs deeper than that. It tells of overcoming adversity and passing on ancient traditions.
How to Walk into a Room: I’ve been a fan of
for some time. I recently read this alongside an oldie, but goodie, The Not So Big Life by Sarah Susanka. Both provided insights for seasons of transition.The Taste of Things: A French film, written and directed by Anh Hung Tran starring Juliette Binoche, is a love letter to food and reflects on love in the seasons of life. Favorite line, “It takes culture and a good memory to shape one’s taste.”
A few bonus reads:
Reimagining Retirement, fellow Redbud writer Judy Allen writes a thoughtful, personal weekly column that goes beyond traditional retirement ‘tips’.
Falling Upward, A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (revised edition) with a forward by Brené Brown is highlighted in this CAC weekly meditation.
ENCOURAGEMENT
I recently read How to Hear God by Pete Greig, and a section called “Words in Season” in chapter four encouraged me to embrace times of abundance and quiet.
“…our Creator understands that we are seasonal beings, living in a seasonal world, and we don’t thrive and mature in a mode of continual harvest. Just as a farmer knows when to sow, when to wait, and when to harvest, so God waits…” (pp. 119-20)
CONNECTION
I have entered a season of embracing my Asian American heritage more than I ever have before, thanks in part to mentors who have inspired me, like Tasha Jun.
In her Substack in May she featured "phenomenal humans from the Asian diaspora" for AANHPI & APIDA Heritage month, and earlier this spring she mentored a cohort of Asian American women (#mixies) around her book, Tell Me the Dream Again. It’s been a gift to connect with these phenomenal women!💛
What about Seasons + Culture resonates with you? I’d love to hear from you!