summer in the city with wanda wen and soolip

This month I traveled east for a family wedding in Connecticut, and to be in New York to spend time with my kids. We celebrated the Broadway debut of our family friend and artist Christine Flores in her lead role in Broadway's new musical, Illinoise. The moment when Christine spotted us after the show is priceless!

And on the subway, the kids and I were thrilled to see the work of Nick Cave in person. His symphony of colorful mosaics and work was profiled on The Sublime. It was exciting to see how they came alive. It seems as though they are leaping and twirling with the rush of wind from the subway cars coming through. They were an unexpected delight and surprise to see.

During the warm days, as I walked the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, I practiced being present with what is. Nature’s growth and its allure captured my eye and awareness, and then all of a sudden, I was present in the moment. My mind wasn't fixated on the discomfort that I was experiencing due to the extreme warmth or the fact that I was often lugging around a lot of stuff. My mind was focused on the beauty right in front of me.

It is said that when we are present with the moment, we are most at peace. When our thoughts aren't in the past, perhaps reliving challenging moments or painful occurrences, nor are they in the future, which doesn't exist, we experience more joy. I can vouch for that.

So often, the world demands that we strive, perform, and achieve. Yet when we allow ourselves simply to be, to play, and to create, we become grounded in our humanity: we uncover and listen to the quiet heartbeat of truth moving through each of us.

This realization sparked the creation of S E E D, a retreat designed by me and Jen Dohr, the founder of Authentic Voice. It will take place August 10 in a beautiful little corner of the world -- Temescal Canyon Park in Santa Monica, California. Our vision is to cultivate an environment where people can engage with tactile forms of expression, reconnect with their full selves within a supportive community, and immerse themselves in nature.

To me, S E E D is more than a retreat—it’s an invitation to explore what makes you feel purposeful and alive. We create conditions reminiscent of a seed finding fertile soil. The retreat integrates the hand, heart, mind, and body, free from the burdens of expectation, reflecting our belief in nurturing seeds of intention and possibility with mindfulness.

Each aspect of S E E D is meticulously crafted to foster exploration and self-discovery: hand-binding a personal journal, writing from the subconscious, embodying mindfulness through gentle yoga, and sharing nourishing meals. 

S E E D is an opportunity to dive into playfulness and curiosity, guiding people to reconnect with themselves.

>>See the full agenda for the day here<<

 >>Read more about the philosophy behind the all-day retreat here<<

A "retreat" is just that -- a day away from our daily lives and reconnect to what and matter most to us. 

Until we see each other, look for the beauty that is everywhere.