MuditaMagazineFall2020DIGITAL

MUDITA
MAGAZINE

VOL. 0, ISSUE 1 FALL 2020



MUDITA
MAGAZINE
May we be kind in our thoughts.
May we be kind in our words.
May we be kind in our hearts.

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Copyright © 2020 Mudita Magazine
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other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Cover Artwork copyright © 2020 by Sinem Ozkaya
Logo copyright © 2020 by JulieMae Engelman
Printed by Blurb, Inc.
For questions, contact [email protected].

Contributors

JAMIE PIETTE ANDRZEJEWSKI HEIDI LEHMANN
Writer Writer

AMELIA BURSI JULIA MELSON
Writer Artist

CECILIA COONS MARLEIGH PETRAS
Writer Writer
IMANI PIERRE
JULIEMAE ENGELMAN Artist
Graphic Designer EMILY PORTER
Writer & Photographer
LISA GEASON-BAUER NHI POSS
Writer Artist
DR. JOE ROSSELLO
HALLEY FEIL Writer
Artist KRISTIN SAUTTER
Writer & Photographer
BREA GRABER TERRY TAYLOR
Photographer Artist
KATIE WILLMERING
AMANDA HOFACKER Artist
Writer SINEM OZKAYA
Artist
EMMA HOFMAN
Writer

JOE KRUBSACK
Photographer

STEPHANIE KRUBSACK
Writer & Photographer
BETHANY LATO
Writer

Cover Artist: Sinem Ozkaya; Istanbul, Turkey
"I have always had a passion for nature and colors.
The past few years I have combined this passion with
my art. My first discovery was watercolor, which I still
enjoy watching as the colors take shape on a paper
with water."

THE MUDITA TEAM

STEPHANIE KRUBSACK

Favorite Yoga Pose: Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
Wellness became a priority in my life after developing
adult food allergies, which led to experimenting with
unique ingredients and recipes to inspire healthy
eating. Creating plant-based recipes with inspiration
from around the world became an important aspect
of everyday wellness for myself, family, and friends.
Recently becoming a yoga instructor strengthened
my desire to share wellness through Mudita with an
amazing team of women.

BETHANY LATO

Favorite Yoga Pose: Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I)
Holistic wellness is a continual pursuit of balance in
my life, and guides me on my journey. I am proud to
work alongside empowered women to build a
community dedicated to wellness. Outside of Mudita
and my work as a mental health therapist, I enjoy
traveling, the world of herbalism, spending time in
nature, and a good glass of wine.

E M I LY P O R T E R

Favorite Yoga Pose: Natarajasana (Dancer Pose)
Overall wellness is incredibly important in my daily
life. Mudita allows me to share wellness techniques I
practice, including yoga and the exploration of art
and artists who create. I enjoy yoga, tea, traveling,
photographing and good food. This year, I am learning
more about herbs and birds.

NHI POSS ZOE BRAUN

Mudita Staff Artist Financial Planner

MARLEIGH PETRAS

Mindful Moments with
Mudita - IGLive Host

WELCOME

Dear Reader,
Thank you for joining Mudita Magazine on this new journey for our
first print edition! We began this publication at the onset of Covid-19,
and despite a few challenges and restructuring, we made it to where
we are today, with a stronger team and many amazing contributors.
What started as a passion project between two of us during yoga
instructor training, developed into a community project where three
of us women joined forces to share our expertise and commitment to
spreading wellness throughout Wisconsin and beyond. To honor our
study of yoga, its deep historical and spiritual significance, and the
connection of the physical, spiritual, and emotional body as one, we
chose Mudita as the name of the publication as it is Sanskrit for:
taking delight in the happiness of others. As a wellness publication,
we want to share all things good that can benefit community
members and the environment.
Please also see our online magazine to read more articles and view
new works of art that are added weekly. We include sections called
Eco Living, Mental Health, Physical Wellness, Healthy Recipes, Things
You Should Know, and Art View, where artists share their personal
stories. Our Contributors page also highlights the talented
individuals that make this magazine possible.
Thank you again for taking initiative to bring wellness into your life,
and helping us share all things good.
Sending Love,
The Mudita Team

Contents

1 The Meaning Of Mudita
by Amanda Hofacker

3 An Ancient Language In Modern Times
by Bethany Lato

7 Leaders Igniting Transformation: The Future Is Black, Brown, & Young
by Marleigh Petras

Art & Culture
11 Wild Beauty: What Creatives Can Learn From Nature

by Kristin Sautter
Art View
13 Meet Brea Graber

by Emily Porter
19 Meet Imani Pierre
27 Meet Julia Melson
31 Autumn Bookshelf
33 The Hunters Moon

by Cecelia Coons & Amelia Bursi, 1-800-DREAMZZ

Food & Drink
47 The Art Of Brewing Tea

by Emily Porter
53 Harvest Recipes

Apple Butter In The Slow Cooker
from the kitchen of Emily Porter

Pumpkin Almond Latte
from the kitchen of Stephanie Krubsack

Rosetta Cream Pie
from the kitchen of Stephanie Krubsack

Sweet Potato & Sage Soup In Acorn Squash Bowl
from the kitchen of Stephanie Krubsack

Physical & Mental Wellness
61 Connecting To The Moon Through Yoga

by Emily Porter
65 Welcoming Nature's Invitations For Healing

by Bethany Lato
75 Navigating Adrenal Fatigue During A Global Pandemic

by Amanda Hofacker
79 The Three Most Popular Essential Oils & How To Use Them

by Jamie Piette Andrzejewski
89 Breathwork

by Emily Porter
91 What We Think We Know About Breasts & Bras

by Heidi Lehmann & Dr. Joe Rossello
97 Kayaking For Health, Mental Wellness, & The Environment

by Stephanie Krubsack

Sustainable Business
103 LIT MKE Candles: Shedding A New Light On Recycling

by Marleigh Petras
105 Business As A Force For Good: Unpacking Social Sustainability

by Lisa Geason-Bauer & Emma Hofman

111 Sponsors
113 Appendix
115 A Note of Gratitude

The Meaning of Mudita

by Amanda Hofacker; photography by Emily Porter

Mudita finds its roots in the ancient Indian language of
Pali, but is most commonly known as one of the four
essential virtues of Buddhism. Although it doesn’t have a
direct translation to English, Mudita can be loosely
defined as the unselfish joy of happiness for others. Mudita
is the antithesis of jealousy, envy, selfishness, or
competition. Western ideology often teaches us that
happiness is a limited resource and that we must be in
direct competition with others to achieve our goals and
success. From this lens of ego and fear, we may find it
difficult to feel true, unselfish joy, for those that we know
and care about when they experience joy in their lives.
Mudita offers us an alternate path with the understanding
that our liberation and joy is bound to one another. When
you experience joy, I experience joy. We are the same.
The happier you can be, the happier I can be. As all of the
esoteric religions teach us, true happiness cannot be
obtained by trying to provide it only for ourselves.
In our practicing of yoga for example, we learn that true
joy and peace are always available within us, regardless of
what is happening in the world. When we lean into and
nourish this place, we are practicing and living from
Mudita. ▪ ︎

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An Ancient Language
in Modern Times

by Bethany Lato; photography by Kristin Sautter & Emily Porter

There is something sacred about entering into a place of deep cultural and
religious significance, even if that culture or religion is not one’s own. The
quiet, the stillness, the deep and heavy knowing that floats through the air. I
have experienced this feeling at many points throughout my life, however some
of the most profound moments this feeling rose within me was during my time
spent in India.
As a lover of culture, religions, diversity, and learning from others world views,
India was a land that I fell deeply in love with. I was struck by the vibrant colors
among the dust and the dirt of the city, the vast openness while standing in a
village that had never before seen foreigners, and warmth and love that radiate
from all who I met during my time there. Beyond what I experienced within the
present, the history and tradition of India touched me. Learning from the past -
from people who lived decades and centuries before anyone alive today - only
enriches the depth and beauty of India’s culture. There is a great deal that India
has to teach not only those raised within its culture and tradition, but those
outside of it.
Central to India’s deep cultural history is the use of the ancient language of
Sanskrit. Known as the “mother of all languages”, Sanskrit is one of the oldest
documented languages of the Indo-European family, and therefore one of the
oldest known languages in the world. With many close similarities to the Latin
and Greek languages, Sanskrit had a deep and direct influence on many other
languages, including many of those used today throughout Northwestern India.
Meaning ‘decorated’, ‘adorned’, or ‘produced in perfect form’, Sanskrit has
historically been used as the primarily language in many sacred texts of
Hinduism, as well as with Buddhism and Jainism. As many refer to Sanskrit as
“Dev Vani”, or the language of the gods, it is said that the Hindu God Brahma
first introduced the language to the sages of the celestial bodies. While Sanskrit
is no longer used as a primarily language for day to day use, it has a rich
tradition of use within not only religious texts, but also philosophical texts,
poetry, music, drama, scientific and technical texts, among others. Therefore,
many still use the language when practicing religious liturgy, ceremonies, or
meditations; reciting literature or artistic prose, as symbolism and mottos or
mantras for various different countries, and is still taught as a sacred language
in many schools.

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As part of a group of woman - the Mudita team - that deeply values the impact
of yoga on individual and collective wellbeing, we recognize the importance of
Sanskrit within the yoga practice and tradition. While the yoga that we know
today looks quite different than the yoga of ancient times, the incorporation of
Sanskrit can offer profound value that connects us to the rich history of this
practice.
Composed of multiple practices in the overarching practice of yoga, those who
engage in this activity are devoting themselves to more than a physical aspect
of wellbeing. Primarily a practice of spirituality, yoga practices include not only
asanas (postures or poses), but also pranayama (connecting to energy through
breath work), dharana (the placement of focus and mental faculty) and nada
(sound). Many of the Sanskrit names for poses or specific practices originate
from legends or poetic literature, and may be the name of animals, body parts,
or specific movements. By using the original Sanskrit names for these practices,
we allow ourselves to connect to the meaning and intent of the practice in a
deeper and more profound way. Ultimately, we are able to better learn, grow,
and benefit from each practice when we have a basic understanding of the
Sanskrit name.

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Additionally, the tradition of yoga in ancient times was one that was passed
down orally through storytelling or verbally instructing of practices. Having
been passed down in the original Sanskrit language, our use of the Sanskrit
language and names of practices continue and honors this tradition. While
there are written records instructing on the practice, the primary way to learn
the spiritual and physical aspects of yoga was through connection with others,
learning through relationship, and within community.
The use of Sanskrit in yoga also incorporates the healing properties of sound.
Many cultures and traditions around the world believe in the healing properties
that lie within sound wave lengths, which work to stimulate and engage the
energy that lies within us. For example, beginning a yoga practice with an “Aum”
chant utilizes the three main sounds “a”, “u”, and “m”, which incorporates and
represents all parts of creation.
By understanding and incorporating Sanskrit into our yoga practices, we are
honoring a rich tradition and history of India, as well as gain a deeper
appreciation and experience within our own practice. While the full history of
Sanskrit is beyond the scope of this article, it is beneficial to research the
tradition further to enrich your own practice. ▪︎

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Leaders Igniting Transformation

The Future is Black, Brown, & Young

by Marleigh Petras

"It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love
each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”
- Assata Shakur
2020 has been one crazy, wild ride. As a team, we put our heads together
and thought of ways that we could give back to the Milwaukee
community. Our brilliant idea? One dollar of each magazine will be
donated to an organization that is making a difference in the community.
This issue we chose a local Milwaukee organization, Leaders Igniting
Transformation.
Leaders Igniting Transformation, or LIT, is a non-profit led, by youth of
color, that organizes a political and cultural BLOC of young people to
define the future of our communities through public policy and cultural
change.
With a long and impressive track record of fighting voter suppression
and engaging young voters in Milwaukee, LIT Milwaukee has had an
outstanding amount of victories.
“In just our first few years as an organization, we ran a scaled electoral
program reaching tens of thousands of young people in Milwaukee. As
young people lead electoral engagement across the country, we’ve seen this
generation’s energy in our own community. Milwaukee’s young people
know that it is our time to take control of our democracy and liberation,
and because of the work we put in this year, they also know they have a
strong political home with LIT.”

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Why LIT Milwaukee?
The future of todays youth is so important, particularly in the current cultural
climate. LIT Milwaukee focuses on leadership development, growth in
organizational capacity, public narrative development, and political education. It
also creates a powerful community for these youth bet a part of. They focus on
key issues that educate today's youth - Broke AF, Democracy Done Right, and
Freedom to Thrive.
LIT Milwaukee has different organizations around the city such as campus
organizations, cultural organizations, and high school groups. They also offer a
leadership development program known as, Black Hogwarts. From advocacy,
organizing and leadership development, LIT Milwaukee is truly lighting the way
for a better future for the Youth of today. ▪︎

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Wild Beauty

What Creatives Can Learn from Nature

by Kristin Sautter; photography by Kristin Sautter

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Beyond where humanity often It's humbling, isn't it? This wild
wanders, far past where the beauty. This form of art that reminds
pavement fades to dirt and fences us of how natural creation can really
dissolve into wildflowers, lies the be. The wilderness teaches us that art
humble spectacle of the wilderness. can be instinctive. It can be ceaseless
To those who dare venture where action that flows from us, not
maps won't guide the way, a treasure because we've asked it to, but
is found. But it's no secret, hidden because that's how we've been
treasure. It's out in the open, created.
passively offering itself to all those The world was created with an
who accept it. intrinsic ability to continually create.
It is wild. It's a raw form of existence. The orchestra was assembled,
It's creation untampered with, signaled to play, and has been
untouched, undisturbed. It's left in performing a symphony ever since.
silence to transform over passing You and I are no different.
time. A slow and steady curation that As creatives and as warriors of
leads to a type of purity that exists no wellness and beauty, we can learn
where else. from this eternal music of the earth.
There is nothing like the wilderness We are instruments crafted for a sole
left alone - not deserted, but purpose: to play. We must simply do
respectfully left to itself. Left to do what we were created to do - let our
what it has been designed to do; creative spirits roam and our music
delicately grow, pass away, and be continually play.
born again. As the wilderness goes on without
The seasons pass without anyone missing a note in the symphony, so
telling them to do so. God said it once we are to endure and let the wild
and set the world into perfect, beauty flow undisturbed from within
uninterrupted motion. Never once us. ▪︎
did it take a rest. Never once did it
pause for an applause. It only endures
- ceaselessly persisting through its
cycle, driven by instinct.
In this wilderness, beauty is born.
Beauty makes up the very fingerprint
it has stamped on the earth. It's an
eternal unity, and it's a forever gallery
for us to observe and marvel at.

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Meet Brea Graber
by Emily Porter
photography by Brea Graber & Emily Porter
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Brea Graber is one of the most vibrant and charismatic individuals I have ever
met. She exudes confidence and her work, whether it be as a designer,
photographer, or dancer, always impresses. From Colorado to Milwaukee,
Brea has created so many gorgeous works of art that focus on female
empowerment and the expression of the body. We met Brea at Milwaukee’s
beloved cafe, La Finca, on a beautiful Saturday. Dressed in one of the best
plush cream floor length coats I have ever seen, Brea greeted us with her
usual cheery disposition.
After admiring La Finca’s insanely gorgeous mugs we dived into the depths of
Milwaukee’s dance world. Graber has been dancing with Milwaukee-based
WildSpace Dance Company for the past year, which was started by Founder
and Artistic Director, Debra Loewen, over three decades ago. As stated on
their website, “Wild Space takes audiences on adventures through built and
natural landscapes, visual art, history and the human condition through wry
humor, clever choreography and emotionally-charged dance.” A critically
acclaimed dance company, they have performed enticing shows in a variety of
unconventional dance venues, such as factories, the Milwaukee Art Museum,
Boswell Book Company, and most recently a parking lot due to COVID-19.
Graber described to us the experience of preparing for an event. “We go into
the space, feel the space, talk about the space, move around in the space. We
improvise.”
Watching Graber speak about the company, you can tell how passionate and
grateful she is to be working with such an avant garde organization. “I have
always worked with choreographers who come into a space, they give you
movement and you learn it. You learn every single detail of it. That’s normal,
that’s what a dance company normally does. But this is not like that at all. Deb
never comes with a plan. She’s an artistic director, she gives you prompts, she
gives you scores. You literally create it. It’s a much more challenging approach
but a much more rewarding approach. It has also helped me grow as a
personal choreographer to make movement live.”
Dance is obviously incredibly important to Brea’s daily life and sharing it with
others makes it that much more special to her. “I would say dance is a lot of
things but for me specifically it is how I connect to my soul, how I get deeper
within my mind, how I can answer questions and find the direction I need to
go. It’s kind of my fuel.”
Originally from Wisconsin, Brea lived in Colorado for quite some time before
taking a personal break to return to family in Milwaukee. During this time, she
felt disconnected from the community and relationships, particularly within

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the dance world that she had left behind in Colorado, and planned to move
back. However, as she continued to live in Milwaukee, she found opportunity
after opportunity presented her way, which ultimately kept her here in our
gorgeous and lively city. It was through these opportunities that Brea began to
establish a connection to her new home. “[Dance] relates to community and
energy that I am passionate about. Being able to connect to people without
saying a word is incredibly rewarding, so connection has a lot to do with it as
well.”
When we asked Graber how she would describe her dance, her craft, she
responded with: “Intimate. Rhythmical. I want to say weird, but strange. I love
making really awkward things. I think this comes from being a photographer
but there’s a natural perspective that’s really important to me in dance. To not
be one style, to be naturally growing and moving through different
approaches. To break the expectation.”
Dance is Brea’s mind and body wellness, even though she never viewed it as
such. She started dancing when a local couple in her hometown opened a
small dance studio which immediately drew Graber in. Proudly having never
gone to a gym, she finds everything she needs in wellness in the art of dance.
“It wasn’t about wellness, it was about feeding my soul and doing that thing
that makes you feel good and giving back by performing.” ▪ ︎

Art View Q&A

How do you define being an artist?
To be an artist is to wholeheartedly invest in creativity. To never give up and
to enjoy the process. Being an artist means that you put your passion at the
forefront of your life and your energy speaks to that.
Where are you in this exact moment in the world?
I am in Bay View of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Currently who and what inspires you?
Currently, I am immensely inspired by Jacob Jones The Company - 'creating
content and community through dance'. This mission inspires me. The art of
movement and building community inspires me.
To read more about Brea Graber's art, check out her full interview on the Mudita
Magazine website.

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Meet Imani Pierre
artwork by Imani Pierre
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We came across Imani Pierre on her Instagram account that we
followed, based on the use of shadows. Immediately, we fell in love
with her textured designs that seem to pop out at you. Not only are
they visually appealing, but they also create stories through layers,
linework, and sometimes plants and portraits. Her earthy vibrant
tones bring me to a calming place that triggers memories of comfort
and home.
How do you define being an artist?
Being an artist to me, is expressing your craft visually, vocally, or
sonically. An artist is one who explores its ideas - tickling at the
depths of their five senses, transferring their imagination to the
audience in the medium of their choice. The ethereal embodiment for
creating from where our passion lies within, is one of many ways to
describe what an artist means to me.
Being a self taught artist - how do you inspire yourself to spark your
next creation?
A combination of things sparks my inspiration! Sometimes it is simply
ignited by the color stories I see as I am out and about in the world. At
Target, the grocery store in the produce section, at home amongst my
furniture, or a view from my balcony looking down at my neighbors
hot pink garage door surrounded by plants. During quarantine, I
remember taking so much more of a focus on this hot pink door more
than I ever have since living here. It brought a rush of excitement
within me as I started brewing up my next piece mentally inspired by
this deep hue of pink. I went as far as calling the local art store to see
if they were open, pondered on how much of an essential this was to
go outdoors on a mini adventure with Covid, to fulfill this urge of how
badly I wanted to see this visual come to life. It took a couple of days
to get past this impulsive ponder and settle into patience knowing that
one day - I will create a piece with a hue I was never drawn to before

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this garage door influenced me. The hot deep powerful pink,
complimented by its surrounding foliage, will transpire one day into
acrylic form at the palm of my hands. Moments like this, being visually
stimulated by my surroundings - spark my creations!
You speak of your work being therapeutic and bringing the viewer
towards peace. Can you elaborate on this?
This question reminds me of the light agony I would feel visiting art
galleries and the (understandably) strict rules they would enforce
about not touching or standing too close to the paintings. I truly feel
that this affected the interest I've had in encouraging people to touch
my work. Slow down, get close, connect with it, feel the yarn wrapped
around the base, and graze your fingers across the creases of the
wood. The sensation of touch brings an element of satisfaction and
peace as you take in the materials and truly become one with the
overall creation. This is what I mean by therapeutic. There is a
connection between the senses of touch to your visual mental state,
bringing a fuel of energy. Tapping into your sense of calm - even
through your presence of evaluating art, will provide a restorative
measure in facilitating your overall health.
Where are you in this exact moment in the world?
In this exact moment in the world - I am on my balcony, in a new city,
listening to Gwen Stefani's song "Cool".
How has the current state of the world impacted your work?
The current state of the world has impacted my work with the sense
of time. Thinking of how much COVID has mandated all of us to stay
on lock down for a period, I was given TIME to put towards my art.
Time - something so precious, sometimes taken for granted. We've
become so accustomed to a routine, that time can simply be felt as a
luxury. Jumping back into work once the lockdown was lifted here in
Miami with limitations - I was impacted in the way in which art quickly
became placed on the back burner again. Everything re-shifted,
finding its place in priorities versus energy.
Currently, who and what inspires you?
Myself. Always in flux, adapting to the ways of the world - I am
inspired by my past, present, and desired future in flow. My
daydreams and fantasies inspire me!

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What material do you find yourself drawn to the most? What is your
creative process in creating a piece?
I would probably say yarn! It satisfies such an immediate sense of ease
to me as there is barely any fuss when it comes to adding that
element. Any chance I have to wrap a desired color or yarn around a
wood board, or sew it into a canvas - instantly I am pleased with the
softness of the material and the visual addition it plays into the piece.
In creating a piece, my process has a lot to do with arranging mixed
elements to a surface and finding the best way to manipulate a space
with different shapes and directions of materials. The first step is
painting the surface. My go to assistance with this process is good ol'
blue tape! A lover for clean lines - blue tape truly gets the job done
seamlessly. Once the color is down, I am usually fishing through
papers and photos; cutting, placing and brainstorming what can go
where. What compliments the colors on the surface? What
exaggerates it? I play around usually as my hands and my mind are
stimulated with considerations.
What wellness technique do you practice to better yourself?
My top two practices are meditating and yoga (preferably bikram).
Meditating is always accessible - even when not sitting still - so with
delight, I am so glad to have learned what I have thus far to be able to
channel internal stillness when needed. Meditation has impacted my
lifestyle, peace of mind and mental state so positively - that I will
continue to practice with pleasure.
What are you excited about right now?
At this very moment, I am excited about the opportunity I have to
create a new beginning. I am honing into a fresh perspective on how
I'd rather choose to look at my place in the moment, with so many
changes happening around me. About a year ago, I spent a lot of time
planning for my move to this new city - thinking I had it all worked
out for the stability I desired in the unknown. It's officially been 8
months since I have relocated to Miami, and unpredictable
circumstances have led to me no longer being able to rely on where I
gained my biggest form of income in an area where the cost of living
is high! I am forced and pleased to think more directly in terms of my
next endeavor truly reflecting and highlighting my attributes. I have
the opportunity to focus on how I would like to move forward in my
creative and multifaceted manner - with hopes that revenue will
organically grow through my truth, experience, and passion. ▪︎

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Meet Julia Melson

In a day and age where we are fighting the COVID-19 virus and ongoing
racism, Julia Melson's work beckoned me in, particularly The Kindness
Collection. Just by looking at her self portrait, you can tell that Julia is
someone that exudes positivity and is someone you want around.
Julia is an interdisciplinary artist whose current focus lies between cut
paper, sewing, and writing. She pursued her education at the Milwaukee
Institute of Art & Design, graduating from the New Studio Practice: Fine
Arts program in May of 2020.

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How do you define being an artist?
Being an artist to me means creating towards something that’s important to
YOU. It means constantly experimenting, problem solving creatively, learning,
growing, and sharing with others in the world. It’s hard to define what being
an artist means because it truly can take shape through any form, media,
subject, etc. The key is to find something that is important to you and run
with it. Odds are that the same thing is important to someone else out there
and then you’ve found your audience.
Can you explain The Kindness Collection and why you started it? What
impact have you seen on the community and individuals who have
participated?
The Kindness Collection is a growing anonymous handwritten letter
community. Letters are written on a voluntary basis and each call for letters
begins with a prompt that asks for well wishes, short stories, jokes, advice, or
anything else meant to brighten someone's day. All letters are archived before
being sealed in delivery envelopes that state, “To YOU From The Kindness
Collection”. Letters are then delivered to members of the community directly
through third party friends or indirectly by being placed at random in public.
I’ve always had a love for handmaking birthday cards for the people closest to
me. A year or so ago, I started volunteering at The Gathering in Milwaukee
who’s mission is “Feeding the Hungry & Keeping Hearts Full”. It was here that I
met the most welcoming, loving, and kind staff, volunteers, and guests. I
decided to combine my new found love for The Gathering and spirit of the
handmade birthday cards and The Kindness Collection was born!

There have been so many wonderful To get involved in Melson's The
moments throughout the process of building Kindness Collection project, head
this project and I’m so proud to say that to https://thekindnesscollection
there has been such a positive outcome. The .squarespace.com
day that the letters were dispersed at The
Gathering, I witnessed guests smiling and
giggling at their letters, sharing the content
with their neighbors, and holding the letters
tight to their hearts. There were many tears,
overwhelmingly happy tears… as far as
participants, many have expressed that they
haven’t taken the time to write a letter in a
very long time! It’s sort of a butterfly effect,
smiles all around!

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by Nhi Poss

Autumn Bookshelf

There are books sitting on my shelves that are only opened during
certain seasons because they radiate a certain vibe. Fall brings a sense of
coziness from the fresh cold, and a dark sense of mystery and magic. I
think of moors underneath an overcast sky, evil houses consuming
people’s minds, and witchy women powering over dark forces. The
books below are a few that we enjoy reading during this time of year. ▪︎

House of Leaves
by Mark Z. Danielewski
This book is exactly what Halloween is about. The
pages of this book will send you into the mind of a man
going insane... and you are also watching it come alive
onto the pages, literally. If you enjoy the casual Steven
King novel or like to read books that do something
visually, I highly recommend this book for fall! Prepare
yourself and be in the right mindset before reading!

Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
What a classic! Set on the moors of the English
countryside, Wuthering Heights gifts us with a heart
wrenching romance intertwined with the lush and
moody landscape. The intense and eternal love
between Heathcliff and Cathrine is felt by readers just
as strongly as the deep pain of being forever apart.
This is a dark romance that has stood the test of time.

Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë
Another Brontë, another classic. Within this beloved
British novel, the reader follows Jane throughout her
life - from childhood to adulthood - experiencing her
emotional, moral and spiritual journey. Ultimately, the
book leaves each reader with two questions: How
much would you compromise of yourself for love?
How much are you willing to give up to stand by your
morals?

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The Rules of Magic & Practical Magic
by Alice Hoffman
No fall reading list would be complete without at least
one witchy read. So we'll give you two! Alice Hoffman's
Practical Magic and prequel The Rules of Magic
welcomes you into the Owens family - who's magical
bloodline brings joy, shame, death, secrets, cover-ups,
heartbreak, and most of all love. The two books
together introduce you to members of multiple Owens
generations, each of who will enchant you and leave a
lasting impact. Follow up these reads by watching the
film adaption of Practical Magic, starring Sandra
Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Also, rumor has it that
HBO Max will be creating a Rules of Magic television
series... pulling out all my magic spells to make that
one happen!

What Can I Do? My Path from Climate Despair to Action
by Jane Fonda
Feeling like you want to do more to help fight against
climate change in an ever changing world? In her new
book, Jane Fonda shares her personal story on how she
went from feeling helpless to taking action in bringing
awareness to climate change. The book also includes
interviews and knowledge from many experts in the
industry, as well as practical ways to get involved in the
fight!
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
by James Nestor
Many of us go through our lives taking our air for granted
or not fully knowing how to breathe. In his new book,
journalist James Nestor takes you on a journey to learn
more about ancient breath practices and how we can
incorporate them into our modern life.

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The Hunters Moon

by Amelia Bursi & Cecilia Coons, 1-800-DREAMZZ
artwork by Nhi Poss; select photography by Emily Porter

We have made it to the second half of 2020! We are here! What an
action-packed year it has been. That said, it isn't over. And with the
presidential election and a second - or third - wave of COVID-19 on
the horizon, it does not show signs of stopping.
That is why we, Cecilia and Amelia, at 1-800-DREAMZZ find it so
incredibly important to control the things we can, which includes self-
care. The beauty of self-care is that it varies greatly from person to
person. If you want to treat yourself to a luxurious candle lit bubble
bath with imported French mineral water, tu fais toi boo (you do you
boo). On the flip side, self-care can be as easy as drinking water,
taking a two minute walk around your block, or listening to your
favorite podcast. Or, you can combine all three! It is a 'choose your
own adventure' that is critical to your wellbeing.
In this piece, we are looking to share some ideas with you that we
have found bring us great joy and make us feel like our best selves:
dream journaling, setting intentions with the phases of the moon, and
celebrating every witchy lady's favorite holiday - Samhain!

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The Power of Dream Journaling

Yes, sleep is so important. At this point it is almost insulting to talk
about this - just kidding, please prioritize good sleep. Sleep is not only
restorative to you physically, it is an incredible opportunity to sort out
what has been going on with your brain through an amazing
processing of images, sounds, and emotions called dreams. Ever heard
of them? Your dreams are more than an annoyance to your
roommates or fodder for the water cooler. They are here for a
purpose. Your dreams are doing a lot of work, take some time to listen
to what they are telling you.
Picture an iceberg - preferably one of those motivational posters
featuring an iceberg to demonstrate how something is 10% x and 90%
y. Your conscious mind is the 10% of the iceberg above the water, and
your subconscious mind is the 90% of the iceberg that is submerged.
Your conscious mind is very much paying attention to what is
currently happening to you, and your subconscious mind holds on to
your memories and things that may have been part of your conscious
mind at one point in time. While you can tap into your subconscious
mind and use it to your advantage in the Friends category at trivia,
memories from the subconscious mind may not always be so easily
recalled.
Bring on the dreams! This is your subconscious' time to shine as your
brain processes events in your daily life. Your subconscious is also
asking for your help to process memories and emotions from your
past that it does not know how to quit. Let's say you have a friend who
you have known for most of your life and you love them dearly, but
after dream journaling for a few weeks this person manifests in your
dreams as bossy and domineering - how you remember them from
your childhood. After some reflection you realize, "This person may
have behaved that way in the past, or better yet I may have perceived
them to behave that way, but in my waking life they are no longer this
way." And with that you have literally put to bed these notions your
subconscious was harboring about this person and your dreams
reflect this change.

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Sometimes dreams manifest your fears through symbols or obstacles,
like our teeth falling out or having to take a test even though you are
no longer in school. Journaling these dreams gives you the
opportunity to do greater analysis into their meaning and why it is
affecting you. Perhaps a specific location is a frequent setting for your
dreams - like why are my friends getting married on my high school
stage? There is something to be said for the time in your life for which
that location represents and a meaning it holds to your subconscious.

Our listeners mention many of these dream themes but have also
mentioned difficulty with dream recall. Here are our favorite dream
recall techniques in five easy steps:
Set the mood before bed: Believe it or not, you tend to sleep better in
a cleaner room - tidy room, tidy mind. Set your intentions for your
dreams: "I intend to remember my dreams upon waking up."
Wake up and write it down: List the people, places, and things as well
as the emotions you experienced during the dream. Do this
immediately upon waking up or you risk losing the dream entirely.
Then, write the narrative of the dream.
Tell someone about it: Describing your dream to someone helps leaps
and bounds for dream recall.
Keep practicing: The more practice you have with documenting your
dreams, the more your brain will actively remember your dreams.
Submit your dreams for analyzing: Share your dreams with us to be
featured on the podcast.

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Moon Water

The moon helps to make Earth a livable planet and affects the tides.
Harness the energy of the moon to manifest your best self.
Fill a vessel with water: anything will do - your favorite mug, a watering
can, a mason jar, or anything that speaks to you.
Step outside, hold the vessel with the water in your hands, and set your
intention for the month.
Your intention is for you and no one else.
Sentence: "With this lunar cycle, I would like to find myself at greater
peace."
One Word: 'happiness', 'protection', 'confidence'
Place the water outside where it will get as much light from the moon as
possible. If you are short on outdoor space, even a window with
moonlight will work.
Ways to use moon water:

Drink just as water
Use in coffee or tea
Diffuse with essential oils
Water your plants
Put it in a spray bottle to make a homemade cleanser
Anoint your things - your body, money, gemstones
Get creative!

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