Mental Health

Books

Entertainment

Filmmaking

He requested my presence at some Airbnb he had rented for the next few days and sis made a run for it like Gabrielle in the olympics. Fixed dinner cleaned the house washed clothes and worked my shift before packing my bags. Hell my children are 17 and 10 within the privacy of our own home so I dipped. Via route 1 and 113 I make it to the house and little after midnight yet before quarter after.

Excited for my arrival said in the calls yet the lack of movement he displayed with assistance of my bags was in the negative, dude didn’t lift A finger until I lift my wrist as I made a signal for him to grab this. Hell I could have waited until the morning for this type of treatment, at least by then I would have had myself entirely together and not half ass. Either way I was there and no turning back at least not for the night. He showed me to the room and unbeknownst to me we had our own private bathroom which was a pleasant surprise.

As I begin to unpack my things I grab my phone to check the alert that had came through while I was trying to find the house. The text tore through me like a Vulture on dead flesh my eyes immediately filled with tears, my heart with grief and my lungs with cries. Once the sound pierced my ears I snapped back and closed my mouth, didn’t help as the moaning was a sound as well.

Aunt Anera had passed away. My heart was hurting. Good thing for the bathroom I reached for my towel rag and soap and made my way to the shower. Felt like it took me forever to get there. I held the towel to my mouth to muffle the cries. I started to rethink all over again, why I was there.

Magma makes every moment matter. Create digital, mini-magazines to share your life’s greatest experiences.

Freelance writer
Like love subscribe — @undefined's mag on Magma

Silent fights and solo flights
New heights
New life
Birds chirping, incense burning
Refa flowing, a steady motion
My daily potion
Free as the breeze that blows
Shedding layers just as quick as the trees that blow in an autumn breeze
New life is here 
Being birthed
Birthed of the natural

<h1>Let it all work out</h1>
It’s hard to climb a ladder with someone at the bottom kicking at it
Causing it to be unsteady 
Making you all panicky and nervous
Imagine that person being your partner
Young bitch so hype for a man done signed yourself up for some dumb shit
Blame myself for this one
Been sitting round here trying to take this pain like a G
Done turned me changed me 
Now he mad at me
“Too much like me” 
Is what he says
My demeanor so cold he thinks I’m trying to bump chest
Excuse me sir im a lady

<h1>Stop clock</h1>
Time is of thee essence! Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today! Dream big work hard, your word is stone, don’t miss dates with those important to you or work/school related. Be ever present and remain steadfast
Steadfast in life
Steadfast in love
Steadfast in trust 
Work hard pray harder
Time is of thee essence don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.. Your presence is in the flesh here and now.

<h1>Domestic violence</h1>
Bigger than someone putting their hands on you!
Verbally killing your pride ego or self esteem 
Estranging you from anything that will help remember your name or from which you came
Fellas today love to play the blame game
Make babies and lay the burden on the momma for producing the seed
If it starts at day1 it will be there for the days to come
Domestic violence is much bigger than a physical thing
Killing the spirit
Killing the esteem 
Killing a person and not in the physical is extremely dangerous and is the worse form of domestic violence there is. 
If you are suffering from going through or know someone who is help pray them through. The strength is in numbers

<h1>Sideshow</h1>
A pain that is unreal 
👍🏽 
A hurt not needed to be inflicted 
On a life…. A life that obviously wasn’t on meant to be
Bring a baby home to me or
My family 
of 4
Is now plus 1 more
Ha 
Yeah this life is no more 
All locked doors and no you can’t have a key
Not to a motherfucking one pertaining to me
There is no we

Calm streams
Can be heard falling from the sky 
Puddles start to form
 Day showers 
The sky is bright from the sun
Flowers bathing in both
Nature again brings life
Rain drops fall bigger and harder
At a more rapid pace 
And the puddles, some have grown to the size where they look like lakes
You can view the rain drops falling gives the water a sort of wave forming
Lightning strikes across the sky
And a breeze blows through the kitchen window. As I stare out into the parking lot at what Mother Nature is doing. 
Sounds of rain beating on an empty flower pot can be heard atop the rain hitting the ground

Read like love subscribe — @undefined's mag on Magma

Agriculture

Food

Nature

The Learning Garden

Venice Story : The Learning Garden

<h1>About the Garden</h1>
The Learning Garden was launched in March of 2001. Since then it has quickly become one of the country’s largest and most successful school gardens.
The Learning Garden is a model example of how school gardens can transform the lives of students and teachers and the environment of their community. For several years, many groups worked with the high school horticulture program to transform the 60,000 square foot plot of land into a garden, but due to lack of stronger community support it remained mostly an eyesore filled with trash, overgrown with weeds, and a magnet for vandalism. 
Today, the agricultural plots are filled with organic food grown by the high school students. Health-related classes such as tai chi, qigong, and natural food cooking are offered on its large stone patio. The garden has a large medicinal plant section for educational purposes, a pond with a water garden and waterfall, and a California native plant and cacti garden. 
A community garden is tended by local volunteers, and numerous groups and organizations use and support the garden.

<h1>The Experience </h1>
<h2>Connecting to Nature</h2>

The Learning Garden is much more than a garden. For the students of the high school it is an opportunity to be closer to nature, a place to learn about respecting the environment and taking care of plants and animals. 
For the teachers it is a place of solace. For the community it is a place of visual beauty. For those who have dedicated thousands of hours to making the inspiration of the garden a reality, it is a joyful and fulfilling accomplishment. 
For all who come, whether to a single event or as a regular volunteer, The Learning Garden is a remarkable and unique place that touches something deep in the heart and soul.

Since the first groundbreaking ceremony, The Learning Garden has received ongoing support and assistance from many generous benefactors and hard-working volunteers. The garden was founded by Julie Mann and David Crow. 
The Garden Master is David King. The Horticulture Program at Venice High School is taught by Diane Pollock. 
Students from Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine have played a major role in the development of the Chinese medicinal herb garden, and the school holds regular classes and events at the garden. 
The Agape Spiritual Center is actively involved in regular work days and special projects at the garden. 
The UCLA Horticulture Department teaches its extension program at The Learning Garden. 
Students from Emperor’s College of Traditional Chinese Medicine contributed to the development of the herbal database.

LAUSD began constructing a new STEM building for the school, and unfortunately they required the garden space for construction vehicles and trailers. This caused the relocation of many plants and had a pretty big impact on the soil ecosystem.
After construction, the Venice Learning Garden and its volunteers were tasked with soil remediation. The soil was packed down and stagnant throughout the year plus of construction. It was finally time to regrow and revitalize the soil and bring back the beauty out of a barren field.

The progress we have made to rejuvenate the soil and bring life back to the garden has been profound and a delight to watch.
We let the wild￼ Alfalfa grow to bring nitrogen back into the soil along with many other variety of naturally growing plants.
We did not till the soil, we let the weeds and other hearty plants to naturally break up the compact soil, which allowed for aeration and microorganisms to flourish with the incoming oxygen.

Some of the plants we use to remediate the soil are sunflowers, red clover, fennel, alfalfa, and wild mallow.￼ 
Fennel brings Black Swallowtail butterflies to the garden to hatch their eggs on. The caterpillar you see above is one of their offspring that love to munch on the fennel.
It is truly fascinating to watch this natural phenomenon and the presence of these critters really brings you into the moment and just for a moment, you're not thinking about anything, just pure presence with a sense of awe.

<h1>Keep the Garden Growing</h1>
The Learning Garden is a living classroom and a place of sanctuary. We invite you to get involved in the ongoing work that supports this project. There are many ways to participate, from volunteer gardening to donations. Together, we are building a healthier future for the students and the community.
<h2>Volunteering </h2>
If you would like to come to the garden to volunteer your time and effort in keeping us growing, we take volunteers 12pm-3pm on Saturday and Sundays. 
We welcome all people from all walks of life, just wear some shoes and apparel you don't mind getting dirty!
Location: 13000 Venice Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90066
Venice High School Where Walgrove and Venice meet (Access from Walgrove)

<h1><a href="http://www.thelearninggarden.org/donate/">Make a donation!</a> </h1>
Checks should be written to The Learning Garden, and mailed to Julie Mann, 2454 Louella Ave, Venice, CA 90291. 
To make a donation by PayPal, click the “Make a Donation” link above. The Learning Garden appreciates your support and thanks you for your generosity! 
Financial contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

The Venice Learning Garden — @undefined's mag on Magma

Lifestyle

Culture

<h1>Letter to My Younger Self: The Over Anxious 16 Year Old</h1>
By: Molly O’Toole
Dear 16-year old me,
On the cusp of my/your 26th birthday, I find myself thinking back on the last 10 years with equal parts awe and pride. Thinking of where I thought I would be in life as an anxious 16-year-old girl and where I am are a world away from each other. So let me tell you, girl, you need to start learning to relax.
Here’s the sitch on the last 10 years:
The friends you have now may seem wonderful, but soon you will learn that heartbreak doesn’t only come from romantic relationships but friendships as well. It will hurt but will teach you that it’s okay to start over with relationships and you will meet your people

You go to an amazing university (one you’ve never even heard of yet!), meet an amazing guy you are still with after almost 8 years (I know, I can’t believe it either), make an amazing group of friends, and live abroad in your dream city- London, baby!
You move to the city of angels after graduation to follow your dreams and hate it. The pressure of making it, the toxic culture, and the overall reality bubble of college getting popped gets to you and all you want is what you know. You leave to start your own business, struggling to make it work for two years before a global pandemic puts you and everyone in this world on hold for an entire year.
Oh, and you get the most wonderful puppy that makes your every day just that much brighter.

So, here we are; ten years later, trying to figure out what you want life to look like in a world that is alien to what you know. You still struggle with anxiety on a daily basis, but during this time of uncertainty, you have found some clarity about yourself.
I won’t claim to know everything — in fact, I really feel like I am having to relearn all I know, but this is what I’ve figured out so far.

1.	Make decisions with your life in mind: no one has ever forced you into any decision, but your need to please everyone has forced you to upset the one person that matters, yourself. You have dreams and they will ebb and flow as you experience more things in life and guess what? That’s okay. The people that love you only want you to be happy — they may have their own ideas of what that is — but you are the one living those choices. Make them your own.
2.	Life is short:I know this is a cliche but it has never rung more true than after this year. It has forced everyone to quarantine, fear for the lives of their loved ones, learn what an “essential job” truly is, and at the end of the day, re-evaluate what we all thought we knew about life. You’ve found a new purpose and it gives you an immense amount of relief and anxiety in equal measure, but ultimately it brings you peace. Peace in that you are starting to listen to yourself.
3.	The key to start finding happiness: Stop caring about the opinions of others. Stop comparing yourself to those Instagram photos that have yet to take off, stop thinking you’re unsuccessful because you aren’t a millionaire by the age of 26. Just live what you love. Focus on the small things — what makes you laugh, brings you peace, what calms that constant storm living inside of you.

Now, these are lessons you are still grappling with and trying to impart in your everyday life, but you are taking minor steps every day to learn more about yourself and follow these steps for a more authentic you.
At (almost) 26 you are starting over. Listening to yourself. Learning to re-love yourself. And you are okay.
So relax, study hard, and listen to your mom. She’s right most of the time (That’s always supposed to be the best advice right? Well, in this case, it’s true).

Life is weird and wonderful. Start learning to go with the flow, because life is going to throw you on a path you never would expect.
Peace out girl,
the older and maybe wiser you

Wisdame Letters | Letter to My Younger Self: The Over Anxious 16 Year Old — @undefined's mag on Magma

Community

Health

Music

<h1>Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living. </h1>

Sia - Breathe Me

“Breathe Me” by Sia and “Day n Nite” by Kid Cudi are two of my favorite songs that outline depression.

Kid Cudi - Day &#39;N&#39; Nite

DEPRESSION: Let’s talk about it. — @undefined's mag on Magma

Beauty

Photography

<h1><a href="https://www.eyeoflove.com/pages/love-notes-campaign">#LOVEONTHERUN</a></h1>
<h1>Eye of Love collected digital notes from people all around the world in an effort to unite and spread love. On each note, we asked people to collectively answer the prompt, "I will spread love by..." </h1>
<h1>These notes were used for inspiration by Brendan North to create a fine art photography piece that will be sold and proceeds will be donated to To Write Love on Her Arms.</h1>

Mission - To Write Love on Her Arms

<h1><a href="https://twloha.com">To Write Love On Her Arms</a> is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery. </h1>

<h1>Eye of Love is a family run company on a mission to spread love around the globe. We create pheromone infused-fragrances that will help you connect with people. With a wide range of colognes and perfumes, our smooth and stimulating scents help you project the status and confidence so many people find attractive. All our products are vegan and cruelty-free too!</h1>

<h1>Eye of Love launched this project to bring people together and to spread love and light after the darkness of the pandemic.</h1>

<h1>Brendan North is a photographer based in Los Angeles. Having built a social media presence of over 1 million people between Instagram and YouTube, Brendan is one of the most recognized people photographers in the world. He specializes in portraiture and fine art photography. Brendan has created a signature style that captures the glamorous side of society while offering commentary on issues at the same time. He believes that the future of photography lies with the artists who truly have something to say.</h1>

<h1>EMBRACE by Brendan North</h1>
Here is a sneak preview of the beautiful series by Brendan North in support of TWLOHA. 
<h2>To view and purchase Brendan North’s series for #LOVEONTHERUN, please visit:</h2>
<a href="https://loveontherun.darkroom.tech/">loveontherun.darkroom.tech/</a> 
<h1>For more information on the campaign please visit:</h1>
<a href="https://www.eyeoflove.com">www.eyeoflove.com</a>

Love On The Run: a campaign by Eye of Love to support To Write Love On Her Arms — @undefined's mag on Magma

<h1>Today's idea remains the central thought on which salvation rests. </h1>
For healing is the opposite of all the world's ideas which dwell on sickness and on separate states. Sickness is a retreat from others and a shutting off of joining. It becomes a door that closes on a separate self and keeps it isolated and alone.

Sickness is isolation. For it seems to keep one self apart from all the rest to suffer what the others do not feel. It gives the body final power to make the separation real and keep the mind in solitary prison, split apart and held in pieces by a solid wall of sickened flesh which it can not surmount. The world obeys the laws that sickness serves, but healing operates apart from them.
It is impossible that anyone be healed alone. In sickness must he be apart and separate. But healing is his own decision to be one again and to accept his Self with all its parts intact and unassailed. In sickness does his Self appear to be dismembered and without the unity that gives it life. But healing is accomplished as he sees the body has no power to attack the universal oneness of God's Son.

<h1>Sickness would prove that lies must be the truth. </h1>
But healing demonstrates that truth is true. The separation sickness would impose has never really happened. To be healed is merely to accept what always was the simple truth and always will remain exactly as it has forever been. Yet eyes accustomed to illusions must be shown that what they look upon is false. So healing, never needed by the truth, must demonstrate that sickness is not real.
Healing might thus be called a counter-dream which cancels out the dream of sickness in the name of truth but not in truth itself. Just as forgiveness overlooks all sins that never were accomplished, healing but removes illusions that have not occurred. Just as the real world will arise to take the place of what has never been at all, healing offers restitution for imagined states and false ideas which dreams embroider into pictures of the truth.
Yet think not healing is unworthy of your function here. For anti-Christ becomes more powerful than Christ to those who dream the world is real. The body seems to be more solid and more stable than the mind. And love becomes a dream, while fear remains the one reality that can be seen and justified and fully understood.

<h1>Just as forgiveness shines away all sin and the real world will occupy the place of what you made, so healing must replace the fantasies of sickness which you hold before the simple truth. </h1>
When sickness has been seen to disappear in spite of all the laws that hold it cannot but be real, then questions have been answered. And the laws can be no longer cherished nor obeyed.
Healing is freedom. For it demonstrates that dreams will not prevail against the truth. Healing is shared. And by this attribute, it proves that laws unlike the ones which hold that sickness is inevitable are more potent than their sickly opposites. Healing is strength. For by its gentle hand is weakness overcome. And minds which were walled off within a body free to join with other minds, to be forever strong.
Healing, forgiveness, and the glad exchange of all the world of sorrow for a world where sadness cannot enter, are the means by which the Holy Spirit urges you to follow Him. His gentle lessons teach how easily salvation can be yours, how little practice you need undertake to let His laws replace the ones you made to hold yourself a prisoner to death.

<h1>His life becomes your own as you extend the little help He asks in freeing you from everything that ever caused you pain. </h1>
And as you let yourself be healed, you see all those around you or who cross your mind or whom you touch or those who seem to have no contact with you healed along with you. Perhaps you will not recognize them all, nor realize how great your offering to all the world when you let healing come to you. But you are never healed alone. And legions upon legions will receive the gift which you receive when you are healed.
Those who are healed become the instruments of healing. Nor does time elapse between the instant they are healed and all the grace of healing it is given them to give. What is opposed to God does not exist. And who accepts it not within his mind becomes a haven where the weary can remain to rest. For here is truth bestowed, and here are all illusions brought to truth.
Would you not offer shelter to God's Will? You but invite your Self to be at home, and can this invitation be refused? Ask the inevitable to occur, and you will never fail. The other choice is but to ask what cannot be to be, and this cannot succeed. Today we ask that only truth will occupy our minds, that thoughts of healing will this day go forth from what is healed to what must yet be healed, aware that they will both occur as one.

<h1>We will remember, as the hour strikes, our function is to let our minds be healed that we may carry healing to the world, exchanging curse for blessing, pain for joy, and separation for the peace of God. </h1>
Is not a minute of the hour worth the giving to receive a gift like this? Is not a little time a small expense to offer for the gift of everything?
Yet must we be prepared for such a gift. And so we will begin the day with this and give ten minutes to these thoughts with which we will conclude today at night as well:
When I am healed, I am not healed alone.And I would share my healing with the world, that sickness may be banished from the mind of God's one Son, Who is my only Self.

<h1>Let healing be through you this very day. </h1>
And as you rest in quiet, be prepared to give as you receive, to hold but what you give, and to receive the Word of God to take the place of all the foolish thoughts that ever were imagined. Now we come together to make well all that was sick and offer blessing where there was attack. Nor will we let this function be forgot as every hour of the day slips by, remembering our function with this thought:

When I am healed, I am not healed alone.And I would bless my brothers, for I would be healed with them as they are healed with me.

A read about the process of true Healing - by A Course In Miracles — @undefined's mag on Magma

Blogging

Personal

Los Angeles

Jay-Z - &quot;Public Service Announcement [Interlude]&quot; (Clean Edit)

<h1>MY NAME IS... BRIT BRONSON</h1>
<h1>quick fact check:</h1>
• born &amp; raised in sunny Los Angeles
• founder &amp; CEO @spaceMVMNT
• board member: Harold Robinson Foundation 
• speaker: NAMI

Brit Bronson is a mental health activist, entrepreneur and creative. She is the Founder &amp; CEO of spaceMVMNT, a community for mental and emotional wellness that inspires others to do good and feel good.

Brit was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 and PTSD at age 19. Her diagnosis has become her superpower- and the jet fuel that propels her to inspire others, tell her story, advocate for wellness, and fight to overcome and combat stigma. She serves as an advisory board member for the Harold Robinson Foundation and is a speaker for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

<h1>A THING OR TWO YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT BB</h1>
• favorite color is emerald green (or black if that counts as a color)
• she could eat sushi for breakfast, lunch &amp; dinner (maybe not breakfast but it sounded cool)
• favorite city in the US is Nashville
• she would retire on a beach somewhere as long as they had endless top of the line blanco tequila

<h1>5 THINGS BB CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT</h1>

Snoop Dogg &amp; Game &quot;Purp &amp; Yellow LA Leakers SKEETOX Remix&quot; Music Video OFFICIAL Lakers Wiz Khalifa

1) family, friendship &amp; love

2) coffee &amp; tequila 

3) good music &amp; dancing

4) sunshine 

5) LA Lakers

PSA: WHO IS BB? — @undefined's mag on Magma

Events

Watts

The center has purchased a 40ft refrigeration unit to house healthy food for the community. HUGE THANK YOU to <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.proofpoint.com%2Fv2%2Furl%3Fu%3Dhttps-3A__RedEye.us5.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Dbda8a485667f9b0fe46486cb4-26id-3D1383e7a8e0-26e-3D525a00e08f%26d%3DDwMFaQ%26c%3DDbIr-Xf3DyWtvGAJmeuMdg%26r%3DYmtptdHKf_5PEpP5INMNM9Ha5mPYFGYHPChsNC2GTbQ%26m%3DuCb1iGj5rxGSYdKOwbrRSR2Q-6YFcAoSSrPjCtUViEw%26s%3DUlhgC20W159i2ScZ3dngfM_0wK1Fr1N9Bts8FgtzRbE%26e%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C68722fd2ff6548a24a0108d90cd58cbc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637554933594228612%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=tHABpbri4rrJXF9HTuHCculsaMQxIaLhngBY9cFlhqg%3D&reserved=0">Lemonade.tv</a>, Dan Kang and Matt McGuire for being our Lead Sponsor in this effort along with The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, the amazing Rushton andSoule Families, Charlie Cutler, Brotherhood Mutual and Bryan Lipscomb! Without your help, as well as the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the numerous other generous donations that came in, we would not be able to have this celebration. So excited! Whole Foods and Amazon have committed to give the center 8-12 pallets of healthy food EACH WEEK, for the Watts community! So grateful to Food Finders who delivers us this goodness each week! This is on top of other food commitments and partnerships we are building! 
What does this 40ft, $80k refrigeration unit enable?
We want to provide healthy food security to not only our immediate area, but to our neighbors within Watts. We did a breakdown of what feedingupto1,500 families looks like over even 1 year:
▪️It is sustainable due to agreements already given by Whole Foods, Amazon and other highly reputable food organizations.
▪️It is in the middle of the community in need and brings the food to the residents. In comparison, other food banks are often on the outskirts of town and not accessible to residents that are having to juggle raising their children, work, lack of transportation, and lack of ability to travel with large amounts of food.
▪️The consistency of weekly, high caliber, nutritious food is the opposite of the unhealthy options low-income communities typically have access to.
▪️Our large network of volunteers (over 5,000 in total) makes this distribution affordable. We are alsoconsistently developing new partnership opportunities to acquire more food (and growing the need for this 40ft refrigeration unit).
▪️The fact that we could feed up to 1,500 FAMILIES in Watts for $1.07/week or $0.15/day is truly compelling. This 40ft refrigeration unit will enable this high impact innovative program! WILL YOU PLEASE HELP US? YOU CAN STILL CONTRIBUTE TODAY!
VOLUNTEER ON FRIDAYS
EVERY FRIDAY at 9am need people to join our Set-Up Squad for the Watts Farmers Market.
The Watts Farmers Market opens up at 10:30am for the community to receive free, healthy food!It all takes place on our Outdoor Basketball Court, behind the Watts Empowerment Center, while carefully abiding by all health and safety protocols.

The Watts Empowerment Center is “The #1 Most Active Community Center in Los Angeles.” This 12,900 sq ft state-of-the-art facility committed to the children, youth, and families within Watts Housing Projects.
These 3.3 acres are the heartbeat of the community. Locals can discover their purpose and develop their talents with the help of top industry and business professionals that provide mentorship to many within the community.
Resources offered range from Sports Leagues, After School Tutoring, STEM Media Lab, Culinary Arts Kitchen, Performing Arts Studio, Music, Acting, Fashion Design, Etiquette Courses, Resume Building Workshops, Anti-Bullying Classes, Mental Health/Stress Management, and beyond.
FACILITATED BY THE CHARITY RED EYE:
OVER 14+ YEARS OF WEEKLY IMPACT.
5,000 VOLUNTEERS.
200,000+ HOURS.
750+ PROJECTS.
15,000 CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES IN NEED.

Watts Empowerment Center Friday Farmers Market — @undefined's mag on Magma

Wellness

<h1>NIRVANA.</h1>
In what world does Nirvana exist? By dictionary, Nirvana is a place of perfect peace and happiness, like heaven. In Hinduism and Buddhism, nirvana is the highest state that someone can attain, a state of enlightenment, meaning a person's individual desires and suffering go away. But how does one reach NIRVANA?

Nirvana - Lithium

<h1>MY NIRVANA</h1>
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) is one of the most widely used and studied medications for treating bipolar disorder. Lithium helps reduce the severity and frequency of mania. It may also help relieve or prevent bipolar depression. Studies show that lithium can significantly reduce suicide risk. <a href="https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-lithium">(SOURCE.)</a> 
<h1>Lithium is my drug of choice. Lithium saved my life. </h1>

my nirvana 🙃  — @undefined's mag on Magma

<h1>Mom</h1>
The most courageous title there is. You’ve brought life into this world and had the strength to carry it through all the trials and tribulations. Holding your own head high while pushing two daughters along with. Considering your children’s needs above your own needs at all times. Having a child in your 40s and being a boss about it. Your strength is astounding and I thank you for your humility, honesty, and love.

<h1>Rachel</h1>
The epitome of a boss bitch. The way you effortlessly navigated a male-dominated industry while showing up put together as a “lady” really showed everyone up. Working up until the second you give birth is truly inspiring. You are going to be an incredible mother. Thank you for being the guide in my life. The leading example of confidence, intelligence, and grace.

<h1>Tanya</h1>
(Right)
You have managed to raise two wonderful human beings with the fiercest hearts. I know they get it from you. Raising Jake as a single mom juggling work, parenting, friendships, etc. at a young age is inspiring. Your tenacity is truly unmatched. I am honored to have you as my mother in law. 
<h1>Alexa</h1>
(Left)
Having you as a younger sister to guide is an honor and a privilege. Thank you for teaching me to live in the moment more. I can’t wait to see the woman you continue to grow into. To have you as a friend in life is a blessing. The most loyal woman I know.

<h1>Katie</h1>
You are fiercely loyal to yourself, and I respect the hell out of that. You have managed to carve the life you lead with grace and patience. You are the epitome of a woman who has come into her own and your laughter and spirit for life is contagious.

<h1>My Bubby</h1>
I could write an entire book on this woman. She has survived the oppression of the Holocaust, moved to Israel and worked, raised my father there while my Zaidy left for Canada, and then came to Canada and managed to lead our entire family as the matriarch. All while having a killer sense of humor. May we all be as brave and giving as you! 
 <h1>Janis</h1>

Although not pictured above, I have to honor my step-mother in law Janis. Janis is one of the most incredibly kind people you will ever meet. She has a heart of gold and loves her family dearly. She is a strong advocate for mental health, yoga, and kindness. She is such a strong light in my life and those around her.

<h1>My Great Nana</h1>
My great grandmother is currently living alone in London. She served in the British forces during WWI and has much pride in that. She is a spitfire to say the least. She has suffered tremendous losses and continues to find strength within. The most intelligent woman I know. I am honored I was awarded the opportunity to know and learn from her.

Maritza/Nana
This woman has advocated for herself and her own daughters her entire life. She never needed a man to guide her. She is a true example of an independent woman who also chooses to embrace love. A wonderful mix and shining example of a modern woman, grandmother, wife, and daughter. 
Auntie Lisa
Like a lotus flower, my aunt has overcome immense struggles and managed to rise and blossom from it. I applaud her strength, independence, and beauty.

Last but not least, my incredible friends. I am inspired by these women daily. We together and apart have managed to support one another with the utmost respect and love. I am so proud of this community of women and so incredibly honored to have them by my side.

Not all are pictured here but hopefully it provides some insight into the vibes we have all cultivated in this world. The women I choose to be a part of my life is definitely deliberate. I give energy to those that share theirs. To lifting each other up!

A Final Note:
I am also proud of myself and the woman I am growing to be. If I could share one message today it’s that you can be both. You can be what you choose and you don’t need to follow any guidelines or rule books for that. In one picture I’m a Master’s level honor student in sweatpants. In the other I’m a model/actress on Instagram.

I can share my body and be intelligent at the same time. I can advocate for mental health while wanting to post pictures on the beach. I can be a mother, daughter, wife, employee, and more, wrapped in one. I have learned a lot about myself this past year and as uncomfortable as it is to highlight myself I think it’s important to share and learn to celebrate yourself as much as you do others. Especially if you’re a woman.

Here’s to celebrating women! — @undefined's mag on Magma

The Science of Body Image

Why is so hard to like your own body? Let’s talk about our bodies tonight at spaceMVMNT Peer Support Group. Every BODY has a seat at the table.

BODY IMAGE
Let’s get uncomfortable and talk about it.
Our perceptions of our bodies ebb and flow every day. The content we take in, societal pressures, beauty standards and countless other variables make the subject of body image complex and at many times, troubling. Tonight we will explore the complex dynamics that this topic sets forth. Please join us for what will be an authentic and deep conversation led by a force to be reckoned with Stacy Paetz!
Meeting is on zoom tonight 3/2 6PM PST:
Meeting ID: 314 802 0632
Passcode: cyberspace

spaceMVMNT Peer Support Group Tonight: BODIES — @undefined's mag on Magma

spaceMVMNT Peer Support Group 101 — @undefined's mag on Magma

Venice

<h1>“Are We There Yet?”</h1>
-Me, asking God if 2021 can come sooner...
As we wrap up a year of uncertainty, tests, and new directions... a sense of relief falls over me. Can you relate? 
“How are you?” Has become the most loaded question of 2020. With trips canceled, loved ones lost, opportunities missed... and countless Murphy’s Law detours, it’s safe to say that it was a character building year. 
But do you know what wasn’t canceled? 
Your resilience. 
*Queue eye roll* 
Sure. It’s easy to focus on the pitfalls of the last 12 months. It’s easy to ask “what would’ve happened if the pandemic hadn’t happened?”
But I PROMISE YOU- if you choose a different perspective, I guarantee you will see that 2020 was the year that Made you and didn’t break you.
Don’t believe me? Okay, Humor me.
Ask yourself this question: 
 “What is one thing that I could be incredibly grateful for (if I wanted to) that 2020 brought me?”
The key to seeing things from a new perspective is having the desire to do so. The truth is, you could find something to be grateful for. The seemingly worst things could be your greatest lessons. 
So take a moment. Ask yourself- “What did work out for me?” I bet you come up with more than one thing and then you realize that 2020 was actually a great year.

Shifting Perspective  — @undefined's mag on Magma

Fitness

Canyon Ranch Woodside

<h1>Always a Good Time To Start New</h1>
Escaping to a luxury retreat or finding wellness at home, follow these 5 tips to live in joy and greater fulfillment.

It’s that time of year we starting thinking of the changes we’d like to make. Maybe it’s time to look at new beginnings, not as resolutions, but as small life changes we can implement today, tomorrow, any day of the year. It’s time to pick ourselves up and find our flow again; time to reconnect with ourselves and indulge in some seriously needed self-care. 
Recently I visited the newest of the Canyon Ranch properties located just outside of San Francisco in the beautiful redwoods of Woodside, California. Priding itself as the leader of luxury, destination retreats for 40 years, Canyon Ranch’s Woodside location marks a bit of a departure from those in Lennox, Las Vegas and the original in Tucson. Think of Woodside as a customizable retreat rather than a hotel, easily accessible in the Bay Area for two days, a week-long stay or longer. While the other locations have set programs, directions and offerings, Canyon Ranch Woodside is more choose your own adventure. Select those activities to help your mind, body and soul unwind, relax and energize while experimenting with some self-care techniques perhaps we haven’t thought of.

It’s all but certain every one of us stretches ourselves too thin, takes on too much and never seems to accomplish as much as we or society demands. We expect more and more of ourselves, but all too often we fail to realize by checking out, our time checked back in can become more efficient, productive and yes, more joyful. The desire to re-energize is universal. Give yourself the opportunity to detach. Treat yourself to some time away from the grind and enjoy your version of luxury. Maybe it’s an afternoon of solitude spent by the beach, a simple walk in a nearby park or perhaps it’s a retreat like one at Canyon Ranch. By removing ourselves from our daily responsibilities and intentionally throwing ourselves into new surroundings that call for reflection and meditation, we set ourselves up for renewal.
In an environment that speaks peace, we’re able to do activities we might normally do, such as hiking, but with a deeper appreciation and a new-found appreciation. During my time at the ranch not only do I explore the grounds by hiking, I run a long trail through the protected forests adjacent to the property. The sensation of the rain against my skin, the earthy, mossy aroma of the giant redwoods and crackle of branches above seemingly conspire to aid my sense of flow as my feet glide over the rolling hills of this forest with a wild exuberance. I am one with nature. A routine activity practiced in a new setting opens the senses, those physical and those of spirit, to experiencing it with greater enjoyment. We can disconnect in order to reconnect with why we fell in love with all those things we enjoy in the first place.

I’m sure you already have a couple physical activities you use to further your health and wellness. A gym routine. Pilates. Swimming. Maybe, like me, you enjoy a rigorous yoga practice that stretches the muscles, challenges endurance and makes us sweat as much as any treadmill sprint. Every once in awhile it’s worth tossing up all we know about our chosen activities to look at them anew. Change things up! Not only does the body get stronger when we keep it on it’s metaphorical toes, but we can find an appreciation, an enjoyment, for another way while keeping our minds agile.

It’s this flexibility that is often said to keep us youthful. In fact, Deanna, program director at Canyon Ranch Woodside aims to create an environment where adults reconnect with their inner child and learn to play again. As she guides me through the on-site, outdoor fitness course we climb over a six-foot tall wall, pull ourselves up long fishing ropes, swing from monkey bars and run a loop with ten pound bags thrown over our shoulders. We fall in the mud, get our elbows dirty and most importantly, laugh in the moment. Moving indoors I join a yoga session during which the instructor purposely designs the class against what I normally expect from my practice. While still opening the hips, elongating the chest and finding space in the upper back, we focus more on a slow, gentle mediation. Being flexible and open to change with a humble desire to continual learning, physically we grow while our emotional center finds understanding, confidence and a greater sense of ease.

Ever wonder how to blow glass? What’s it like to feel wet clay between your fingers as you shape pottery? Maybe you’ve always wanted to speak German? All too often our minds initiate a desire that we just as quickly find a reason not to follow through on. For years I thought “one day I’ll run a 50 mile race,” but did nothing to work towards the goal. I wasn’t even a runner at the time! Once I began the training, I joined a class during which I quickly realized running is a personal passion of mine. That inner voice encouraging us to take on that new endeavor, it’s the one worth following. The voice of doubt, of “I’m not enough,” of excuses- that voice literally gets us nowhere. Listening to our inner most desires, experimenting with them and finding healthy ways to implement them into our lives makes us more well-rounded individuals capable of whatever we set our minds to. 
One evening at Canyon Ranch Woodside I pop into a small class gathered for The Power Of Journaling during which the five of us participants look at the spiritual benefits of keeping a journal. As someone who has a daily gratitude practice, this seminar helps me to look at journal keeping in a new light. Setting aside a few minutes of every day exclusively as my own, in order to write down thoughts, feelings and perspective can be an incredibly useful tool in developing them further or in letting them go. While we don’t need to be with others to write, there is something about coming together in a group to collectively focus on an activity. After given prompts to write about, we discuss, find areas of common ground and encourage each other forward. This is the power of a class, even with an activity so individual as journal writing. Listen to that voice. Find a class to help develop it. Focus. Allow yourself to be pushed and held accountable.

Yes, we all know and understand the value of having and executing a well thought out plan. But when was the last time you changed it up in the heat of the moment? Being confident in our plans, in our own bodies, gives us the ability to approach life with an open mind. We can always return back to the plans we made or what it is we know; in the meantime, say yes more. Say yes to new adventures. Say yes to spending the afternoon with that friend you’ve put off because life has gotten in the way. Allow yourself to live in the moment and discover joy in unexpected places. 

There’s great value in saying yes to last minute ideas both with long-term plans and in daily activities. Hiking is an activity I gravitate to when given a choice. But while enjoying an incredible lunch at Canyon Ranch Woodside I’m introduced to the retreat’s Tai Chi instructor. We strike up a light conversation. My curiosity peaks. He is to begin a class in minutes, just as I have a guided hike planned. Giving myself the freedom to be spontaneous, I step into Tai Chi. I choose the activity simply because it’s something I’ve never done.

During the class I learn new techniques to attach movements to calm, deep breathes. I realize I’m a forty year old an endurance runner who repetitively works the same muscles during my training, but here I am moving my body through choreography it’s never done before. Sure, at times I falter in understanding the movements, but I take a moment, regroup and begin again. When it connects, there’s a gentle flow of mind, body and spirit moving as one. A willingness to be spontaneous while humbly step into something new and feeling our way through it can lead to great, unexpected rewards.

What is important in your life? How do you want to feel everyday? Are there values you hold at this stage in life that you didn’t in another? When we answer fundamental questions, we give ourselves a path, a direction. In taking time to reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and most importantly, where we’d like to go, we begin developing a life of purpose. Instead of viewing life as something that happens to us, it’s much more fulfilling to take active ownership and create the life of our dreams. 
Before departing my three day retreat, I select a one-on-one course at Canyon Ranch Woodside. Cultivating a Life of Purpose. Spending an hour with a certified life coach, we immediately dive deep into a wide-ranging discussion during which she encourages a holistic life review of what’s important and how am I living out the four dimensions of wellness: the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It’s a comprehensive reflection on how the dimensions intersect, how I spend my resources and how my thoughts, beliefs and emotions align with my desires. Underneath it all, it’s an exercise in love and acceptance of who I am and who I want to be. This is self-care of the highest order. In allowing ourselves to dream and use our imaginations to form the lives we want, the Universe immediately begins to align.

This year make quality self-care a top priority. I can hear you now… “But isn’t that so selfish.” Yes. It is. But it’s also the greatest gift we can give those around us. In taking time for ourselves while nurturing positive lives of health and wellness, we become gentler, more compassionate, more focused, souls capable of enjoying all life has to offer from its challenges to those days when it all just flows!

Try out these 5 tips to live a life with greater fulfillment and explore a retreat deep in the California Redwoods, Canyon Ranch Woodside. These tips are for anyone looking to improve their health, wellness, body and mind...  — @undefined's mag on Magma

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