What Little Things Bring You joy?
Last week, we paused on the newsletter and podcast to process, grieve and honor the ones we lost in Nashville. The tragedy hit close to home for me, as my best friends (a couple) were affected. Their daughter went to church with one of the children killed and her sibling. Another friend is a teacher in the area. Another lives so close she was listening to the sirens most of the day. PLEASE keep them all in your prayers. We are all scarred; we are all tired of this madness in our schools.
I was just in Kentucky working with a K-5 school and I couldn’t help but think of those precious angels, the same age. 😞 So, for the rest of the week, I allowed myself to feel the weight of what happened. I allowed myself to grieve. I hope this email is a reminder for you to do the same. There is a phenomenal book I recommend to people all the time called, The Body Keeps the Score. If you are a reader like me, I highly recommend it. It will help you understand the body’s relationship with trauma and how it affects us all long-term.
Listen to this week’s episode of the Joystarters Podcast, April 6, 2023:
Download the First Chapter of Relentless Joy!
Switching gears, I was able to read the intro and first chapter of Relentless Joy to our Joystarters Club last week for the first time. I cried happy tears more than a few times. 😂 Can you even imagine that? Im also getting ready to go record it later this month as well. Im so pumped for people to HEAR me share my stories, wisdom and my life. I simply could not imagine anyone else reading it for me.
And guess what?? You get to read it, too. EARLY. HERE. NOW! So happy to share it with you!
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING
Speaking of reading, I have been a reading fool lately. Here are a few of my favorties:
The Girls in the Stilt House (If you loved Where the Crawdads Sing, it a MUST!)
The Giver of the Stars…OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, cannot say enough!
The Love Songs of W.E.B Du Bois….A long one but oh word….so worth it!
Pandora (I gobbled it up!)
These are just a few that have really been doing it for my soul lately! I urge you, whether you’ve been with us for a while or new around these parts, to get quiet and see what your soul needs this week. It might be a nap, a walk in the grass, to read, to dance, Im not sure what does it for you, but I am sure that you are worth it!
I hope my book and these book recommendations bring you JOY! I hope the podcast brings you JOY and makes you think and feel and ACT! I hope #ImChangingtheNarrative inspires you! That is, in large part, why I was created. You are part of my story and I am part of yours!
If after reading this, you have feedback, ideas, book suggestions, or want to get involved with the book by hosting a zoom or live event, just send me a message!
I would LOVE to hear from you!!
Blessings and all my love,
Rachel Joy Baribeau (really Rohe🥰)
