Captivations is a monthly feature with links, stories, and news that captivated me.
Things I Loved in May
The days are long, the years are short. I made this list because it’s easy to move on to the next month, not appreciating what the days and hours are amounting to in life. Here are some of the things I loved about May:
- Reading 9 books this month (I’ve been trying to get back into reading)
- Picking peaches and strawberries on a farm (see it here)
- Seeing the new Aladdin movie (loved it!)
- Catching up with three friends (house guests on different weekends) who were in town
- Picking up my altered wedding dress. It’s all ready for the big day!
- A physically challenging and emotionally releasing yoga class
- Making a candle for the first time (see it here)
Best Advice Ever Received
I love this list of advice! It’s something I would want to read every week.
Harvard Grad Shares What was Learned
After a 30th college reunion, Deborah Copaken gathered 30 things she learned from her classmates. It is a touching tribute to living and appreciating life.
Asian Representation
Remember last summer’s buzz with the movie Crazy Rich Asians? It opened more opportunities for Asian actors, directors, and producers. This article shares the upcoming movies and TV shows coming soon.
Influencing
Influencer is the buzzword and everyone hates it. The word has gotten a bad connotation of freeloaders who act more important than they really are. This article about influencing in Paris, the most popular place on Instagram, gives you an idea of this. Many influencers post pretty content for entertainment and not value.
Is blogging dying? The ease and quantity of blogs have made it so crowded that brands and audiences have trouble deciphering between what is real and helpful. Bloggers can publish content solely for aesthetic and entertainment but are there true connection and value? If bloggers and influencers are giving audiences what they want, what does it say about the audience?
Plastic Alternative
At the London Marathon this year, runners were given seaweed pouches instead of plastic water bottles and cups. This saves an incredible amount of waste from single-use plastics. The seaweed is edible or quickly compostable. I hope this is an inexpensive and efficient change that happens at races everywhere.
Make Time for Sex
Dr. Ruth shares her knowledge in this interview.
Nailed It
A new documentary tells the story of Vietnamese people and the nail industry. This interview is a good primer before watching it.
Homes
I read the book Homes this month, which shares Abu Bakr Al-Rabeeah’s journey from Iraq to Syria to Canada. Stories about war from a child’s perspective are hard to read. You can see the ways those traumatic experiences have changed them and how far their lives and thoughts differ from a “typical” childhood. But these stories are so important to help understand the struggles and find a way to make the world a better place.
Moving Forward from Grief
Last year, I read Nora McInerny’s book about the journey with her husband’s cancer and grief. Her recent TED talk is becoming very popular because she explains how grieving really works. It might get easier with time but someone doesn’t just get over it, even when they seem that way. Give this 15-minute video a watch!
Rewarding Kindness
After delivering mail for 35 years, Floyd Martin’s community met him with notes, treats, hugs, and a big party along his route on his last day. (Full story here.) He’s been a smiling face and helpful friend throughout the years. The neighborhood set up a GoFundMe to fund his dream of going to Hawaii and it raised $32,822 and Delta is taking care of his flight!
Privilege, Poverty, and Abortion
You and I are privileged to not be in poverty. I can only imagine the emotional struggles of a woman trying to put food on the table for her children, keep a job, and pay rent. And that’s without adding the struggles of mental health and addiction. So, you’re asking this woman to make a livable wage while providing a safe and enriching environment for her children. These new abortion laws punish her for having sex and forces her to stay in poverty, potentially causing the cycle to continue with her children.
There are many ways to talk about the subject. It’s been exhausting hearing the news and comprehending what it could mean. Here are two articles to read:
What’s got you captivated lately?
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