Here at the studio, I ask for acknowledgement of one another, because we are sharing space with the intention of Selfness. Selfness, to me, makes the world that much better. When we honor ourselves, we honor our world as One.

As the holidays approach and the winds stir the lands, our emotions begin to bounce all over the place. We can feel out of place, because winds created by the Moon can shift how we see things. It can be a fun time, but also stressful and sad.

When I divorced, people would say, give yourself a year. But they never said why. Then I met Amy Pierce with Authentic Self of the Triangle. She said we need a full year to create new memories with ourselves as a whole. A lot of our memories, good and bad, are uprooted in these months.

Amy says we can be Selfish, Selfless, or Selfness. On Dec. 7, Jackie will be guiding you in a 2-hour Restorative Yoga from 3–5 pm. I challenge you to dive into yourself for 2 hours between the holidays to regather and reconnect through practicing Selfness.

Though our emotions are our own, we share them directly or indirectly with others. Connection is essential. Look out the window and see how the trees sway, their leaves and branches touching one another, their roots intertwining. At some point, we all connect—whether we like it or not. So why not make it a healthy understanding and connection with one another?

Appreciating this melancholic time of Autumn can be hard, but it is well needed. It is simply a phase and a reminder that, as the leaves fall, they cover the new seeds that have been planted. I try not to let myself get stuck in sadness or memories, because I will miss out on all that is to come.

I say this because suicide is high these days, PTSD is more common than we think, and I want to remind you to be kind to those around you—and, of course, yourself. The fall makes death very visible, and here we can appreciate its beauty in a different light. Our culture shuns aging gracefully, but Mother Nature shows us its beauty. The leaves fall oh so gracefully down to the Earth. And Soleil doesn’t always shine as much, so it’s easy to forget she is there. But she is, and she winks at us through the clouds at times to remind us.

About a year ago, Amy gifted me a book of her works, writings, and notes that I hope to publish for her. Her intention was that I also teach others what she has taught me. In honor of all that Amy has taught me, I will be hosting an Intimate Conversation with Claudia on Dec. 14. We will share, laugh, and connect as a small group to dive deeper into our Authentic Selves. I will be donating 15% of workshop proceeds to Amy.

On Dec. 15, I will be teaching Understanding the Temperaments, to better understand how this melancholic season, along with the others, can guide us in achieving balance and peace of mind.

If you find you need, or someone around you needs, extra support in this time, here is the Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. Remember that their experiences and traumas shift your emotions, and your emotions shift those around you. Living and practicing living is a hard dance, and spending time alone or in community helps us in this process.

Here are a few personal examples:
The other day, I was walking into a store, and there was an older man kneeling and scrubbing the concrete outside. We looked at each other, and time moved very slowly—like in the movie The Matrix. I smiled. He smiled. I said hi; he said hi. It felt like an hour. I cherish these moments. This is how I live my life. Everything happens slowly.

Then I attended an event where others were sharing a space. I attempted to connect with others, but not one eye I didn’t know turned to acknowledge me or the other person who entered the room. It felt odd.

Chris, Victoria, and Farhanah volunteered yesterday at the NC Food Bank, and I was happy when he told me he made it an intention to introduce himself to someone he didn’t know.

Farhanah has been struggling to meet new friends here. Being one of a few students at Millbrook who cover, she wears a hijab, and she stands out. It seems to somehow make her unapproachable. She says that the other exchange students aren’t having a hard time finding friends.

I gave her “school work”—to introduce herself to two people a week. She has been doing it and feels so much better.

Growing up, Papi always said: when you make eye contact with someone, acknowledge them with a smile. Look at them with the intention of smiling, because you really have no clue what they have been through. I am so grateful he taught me this. I go out of my way to make eye contact, smile, and connect with others—even for a moment.

We are partnered with Planet Peace Affiliates, and on Nov. 30 we will be hosting a Friendsgiving Potluck for all to join and practice connecting. Make sure to bring a blanket for the bonfire and, of course, your wonderful smile. I hope you’ll bring a friend and join us.

As a local, small family-owned studio, let’s support one another with kindness, compassion, time, rest, space, smiles, and most of all, contact and connection. So many people in the world today are struggling, and some are not. I am now offering 30-minute sessions at a discounted rate to be applied to yourself or someone you know who needs self-care.

I say, first begin super local—within yourself. Then branch out to those closest to you, and let the butterfly effect move on from there as we continue to honor ourselves and the work being done.

~ Makutub
Claudia y Crew