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Dear Elisa,


On Tuesday night we all came to learn that the next President of the United States

was not going to be Kamala Harris. I have to say I went numb in a way that

I haven't been able to shake off yet - and I'm sure I am not alone in my thoughts. I have felt more sadness and grief than I did for both of my parents and my husband Ken when they passed. Maybe it was because I had so much time to grieve their eventual loss, known as, "Anticipatory Grief."


As a practice of mindfulness and health consciousness, I try not to stay in a negative, fear-based space because I know it affects your immune system and I'm much more aware that my job is to thrive and be well - not compromise my health with things that are out of my immediate control.


To top off the shock of Tuesday night, I had my 6-month post-op mammogram which had been pre-scheduled on Wednesday – and that naturally added some anxiety and fear around the procedure on top of the election sadness. Thankfully, the findings were non-eventful and that was very happy news!

•••••

Just My Two Cents...


I think in the next many days/weeks/months/years to come we need to slow down, be gentle and kind to ourselves and others, and do as much self-care as possible. This grief will continue in waves for a long, long time as we are forced to look at (and reassess) how upside-down and off-balance our country is.  It's not just about the stock market going up. The misogyny and the lack of respect for human lives (and women) is beyond reproach. Who knows if we will even be able to travel out of the country - how we will be met and perceived by other countries and how foreigners may not want to come here to visit (which will adversely affect our economy as tourism is a major form of income for the U.S.). We're slated to have a Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. That could be affected.


Whatever your involvement was (or candidate you were rooting for), I think Kamala Harris, given all she was up against, did an incredible job with grace, joy, humility, credibility, integrity, stamina, and grit. This was an unprecedented election cycle and campaign that she was thrust into with very little time to prepare. She had 100 days to run an uphill battle under extreme scrutiny because she was also female and a woman of color.


Her short campaign was jaw-dropping in the face of real obstacles – noxious humans and acts of G-d. I, like most, was mentally exhausted daily by the onslaught of ubiquitous texts, emails, news media hysteria and misinformation, and nonstop requests for ongoing, dire, grassroots donations – coupled with my own guilt for not doing more. Considering my past non-involvement in politics whatsoever, I got involved in my own, small way and had conversations I would never have attempted in the past. Not Ever. I am not patting myself on the back. Not one bit. It wasn't nearly enough.


Most of us who were complaining of "election fatigue" were not hopping on planes three to four times a day looking refreshed, giving speeches, and making appearances while also paying attention to an important "day job" of being a VEEP of the U.S. I feel she needs to be thanked and appreciated - regardless of the outcome of this Presidential election. Women can get shit done because they show up, they saddle up, and they don't shut up. Good on her. Thank You, Madame Vice President for helping to wake people up and rally despite being the underdog.


•••••

Spiritual advice from people who have

learned to breathe through tough times


If you are someone who happens to have thoughts that ping-pong through time and space to catastrophize over things that haven't yet happened, (and I'm including myself in this category), please remember that no matter how you imagine things are going to go, they will often turn out differently. So don't spend too much time in your head. Find whatever talisman you can to shift your energy to help get you out of your funk (if you're in one).


I found a beautiful teaching from the late, Vietnamese Buddist Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh on Facebook to share in the event it could be helpful. I hear his book, The Art of Living is excellent. I am going to order it. He said:


"Someone asked me, "Aren't you worried about the state of the world?" I allowed myself to breathe and then I said, What is most important is not to allow your anxiety about what happens in the world to fill your heart. If your heart is filled with anxiety, you will get sick, and you will not be able to help."


Also: "Your peace is more important than driving yourself crazy trying to understand why something happened the way it did."


And from Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl - "Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation."


Buddist Monk, Pema Chodron's books and teachings also have provided a great sense of understanding on how to deal with impermanence and loss.


I've mentioned her before and one of her books, "When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times." (narrated by Cassandra Campbell) is great - as well as "Embracing the Unknown" where she's leading a workshop about death and the Bardos and the next realm of life (taken from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche).


She shares that the time between when one dies and one "transitions" is called "the Bardo" - which translates to "the Gap." You do not have to die to experience the Bardo. Each moment and interaction we have with ourselves or another can be seen as a Bardo - it is a present moment - and then it is over and another one begins starting a new Gap. So we get many, many chances to practice living in the Bardo well before we die.


She is an incredible teacher who is very relatable with a great sense of humor. I highly recommend a listen.

•••••

My hack...


One of my hacks to reach for a better-feeling thought/state of mind is to go to youtube and listen to Maurice White sing "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire." I love dancing around for a vibrational pick-me-up. It's good cardio and this song cannot help but put me in a happy mood.


At the doctor's office on Wednesday, the young nurse who was doing my Mammogram happened to be named, September. When I asked her about it, she said it was because her parents liked the song. After my appointment, I was in line at the hospital valet and the car in front of me had a license plate that said, "Ba-de-yah" and underneath it, it said, "Say, Do You Remember?" Their registration month tag said "Sept." WHAT???? That was crazy pants! I motioned for the man to roll down his window and I told them how much I loved their license plate.


His wife, who was in the passenger seat, piped up that it was her all-time favorite, good-feeling song. We briefly chatted and I found out that she was just starting her journey with an early breast cancer diagnosis (discovered via a mammogram). When I found out who her doctor was, I was able to reassure her that she was going to be in the best hands and that her surgeon, Dr. Janie Grumley, is a rock star! I have to say, that really made me feel good that I could uplift another human during such a uncertain time. I was definitely having a WOO WOO Wednesday!


•••••

WEEKEND UPDATE!


If you are up to leave your house this weekend, please come join us

IN PASADENA THIS WEEKEND at

ARTAZAN


Join us for the Artazan Handcraft Market at the Pasadena Convention Center on November 9-10! Discover unique exhibits from local and regional artisans, featuring art, jewelry, clothing, fine crafts, paintings, woodwork, and more. Inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, Artazan celebrates the beauty of handcraft.


As you browse, enjoy live music by local classical guitarist Aaron Copenhaguen, participate in painting and gift & jewelry-making workshops, and sample chocolates, wines, and specialty foods from artisan vendors. Pasadena's rich arts-and-crafts heritage makes it the perfect setting for this celebration of creativity.



Where: Pasadena Convention Center

Hall B, 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101


When: Sat. & Sun. Nov. 9th & 10th


Hours: 10-6 pm (Sat) and 10-5 pm (Sun)


BOOTH #303


Use this Code ARTA09 to get Free Admission Passes

You do have to register online here.

 https://www.artsandcraftsshow.com/tickets.php?show=pas


There is street parking available or you can pay in the structure.


•••••


As always, I hope you have a great weekend. Thank you for listening and thank you for enjoying my work. Please stay safe, and keep the faith.


Elisa


Coupon Code:


Feel free to use the coupon, Kindness2024 at checkout, to receive 20% off of your purchase. NOTE: Special requests, custom orders, or items currently on sale are exempt from loyalty coupon discounts. Thank you for your understanding.


Feeling Stunned?


Her name is 'Prudence'

I still have a few left.


NEW NOTEPAD DESIGNS!


Some of my other products that use the phrase, "Happy Souls Inspire Others to Shine" have always been customer favorites – so I decided to add some additional characters to my notepad series.


As to my yoga character of 'Grace' - Meditation has really helped me stay in gratitude for the things I am most appreciative of in my daily life (like my health) and it is also helpful to "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" (to quote Monty Python) when things look bleak.


My "September" story was just one of those golden nuggets I used as a magic takeaway because I picked up on the signs. What are yours?

'Bibi'


"Happy Souls Inspire Others to Shine!

'Marcel'


"Happy Souls Inspire Others to Shine!


'Grace'


"Stillness & Reflection

are a necessary

"Time Out"

for us to discover the hidden gems waiting to delight us every day!


"BA-DE-YAH

Say do you Remember?"


That felt like a God wink!

I just ordered this from Dr. Anna Cabeca last week - aka "The Girlfriend Doctor" and I have to say this has boosted my energy levels. It's a Superfood green powder that you mix in juice or water. It tastes great. I am not an affiliate for this product but I have definitely felt better in the short time I have been taking it which is less than a week!

THIS WEEK'S NEW HANDMADE CARD DESIGNS!

Cubist Musician with Horn

(Japan)

Category: Handmade Asian-Themed/Music

Love with Red Rose

(U.S.)

Category: Handmade Love/Birthday/Everyday

Ballerina in Pink Tutu

(Great Britain)

Category: Handmade Dance


Peacock

(China)

Category: Handmade Birds

"Judith" by G. Klimt

(Austria)

Category: Handmade

Art/Fashion


Chagall Wedding Stamp

(France)

Category: Handmade Art

Black Cat

(Vietnam)

Category: Handmade Cats

PEACE (Blue-Green)

(Christmas Island)

Category: Handmade

Angel/Holiday

PEACE (Pink/Orange)

(Christmas Island)

Category: Handmade

Angel/Holiday



JOY(Pink/Orange)

(Christmas Island)

Category: Handmade

Angel/Holiday



JOY (Blue-Green)

(Christmas Island)

Category: Handmade

Angel/Holiday


Christmas Tree

(St. Pierre/Miquelon)

Category: Handmade Holiday

Geisha with

Black Cat

(Japan)

Category: Handmade Cats

Geisha with

 Black Sweater

(Japan)

Category: Handmade Asian Woodblocks

Geisha in

Pink Kimono

(Japan)

Category: Handmade Asian Woodblocks


Candlesticks and Challah

(Israel)

Category: Israel/Judaica

Bathing Nude by Renoir

(Guinea Equatorial)

Category: Handmade Art/Impressionists/Nudes

LOVE RAINBOW SWASH

(U.S.)

Category: Handmade Birthday/Love/Everyday


Three Wise Men

(Ghana)

Category: Handmade Holiday


Udine Italian Landscape

(Italy)

Category: Italy/France

Pig

(Panama)

Category: Handmade Animals

Below is the link to my website
where you will find many new designs! If you like any of the above designs,
please note the category you will find them in. Enjoy!
https://curmudgeoncards.com/

"To do a common thing done uncommonly well, brings success."


Henry J. Heinz


Elisa R. Goodman

Chief Curator of Creativity for Curmudgeon Cards


Cell: 323.839.0128
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