It's not enough
Wow. A lot can change in a week.
In a day.
In a moment.
I don’t need to tell this to my so cal friends right now because legitimately everyone I know, knows someone (or perhaps one degree of separation) who's lost everything.
It’s harrowing and so many of us are paralyzed with shock and sadness while others are on high alert, firing into action, and on the front lines. There is no right side of this catastrophe.
We are forever changed.
This town will never be the same and we have yet to even think about this.
In the course of figuring out how to help, I decided to offer a virtual yoga class with all proceeds going toward a handful of GO FUND ME accounts, including one of our own Sweat and Stillness members, the LAFDF, and Pasadena Humane.
This is taking place next Sunday 1/19 7:30am PST/10:30am EST.
Please go to Sweatandstillness.com > create account > reserve your spot for “WE LOVE LA:community class” > donate whatever you can (or nothing at all-your presence is wanted and needed).
While creating a little social media post, I wanted to use this heart wrenching song that I'd heard YEARRRRRS ago. I had downloaded it from the inter webs and probably haven’t played it in a decade. Naturally, I couldn’t remember the artist’s name or the song title so this took bloody foreverrr but I had to find it.
It’s called “IT’S NOT ENOUGH” by Dustin Kensrue.
His voice.
It’s everything.
When you’re going through the gnarliest time in your life, at some point you need to bury into the depths of that darkness (my opinion of course) and when you do, a song like this will break you open to FEEL what needs to be MOVED.
God hasn’t left our sides and is rising up in the people of this town. Yes, there are looters, yes there is corruption at the root, yes there are many questions … AND THE GOODNESS OF PEOPLE WILL PREVAIL. God’s angels work through us and it’s evident they’re here now.
The irony of me writing a Substack about a song after last week’s email about that ‘mystery song’ is pretty wild.
I’ve unpublished last week’s email because, like I said, a lot can change in a moment.
Turns out, that mystery song that was uploaded into my notes app on Dec 18th, Beau’s birthday, was ummmm … a secret.
It’s already been recorded.
It’s going to be released this month.
It’s also a beautiful song attached to my darling friend Jenny Robinson’s new children’s book “Are You Here?”, published by Landon Hail Press.
The song was written and preformed by her incredible husband Travis Clark, front man of We The Kings. There is a live performance and a book cover reveal party to come. If you’re curious please visit JennyRobinsonclark.com for all the up to date information.
I’ve had numerous chats with Travis and Jenny and we have no idea how I got ‘attached’ to the shared note with the actual song chords and lyrics. Life is wild and unpredictable … as we can see.
The song was deeply comforting to both Beau and myself that day. It came at the strangest, most impactful moment and even on ‘paper’ it was healing.
I can’t wait for Jenny’s book and Travis’ song because they will both be powerful tools for facing grief … which seems to be, sadly, very on brand these days.
During these life chapters that feel I M P O S S I B L E, you can show up in a small way and have a large impact. Please don’t underestimate your small act of kindness.
You are not alone.
It’s almost like we are made to ask for help, to love beyond the material world in front of us, and to be the light for each other.
“The fact that our heart yearns for something Earth can't supply is proof that Heaven must be our home.” - C.S. Lewis
OKAYILOVEYOUBYEEE,
xx
Nic.
ps. * Tuesday QUICKIE YOGA 12-12:30pm pst. $10. A well rounded music based mobility focused yoga flow. This was created as a community class and if you ever need financial assistance to attend - please just reach out or use code NEWFRIEND to try a class for free. Sign up here.
* Saturday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW 9-10am, 10:15-11:15am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.
* Sunday WE LOVE LA : Virtual Community Class 7:30-8:15am pst. Donate whatever you can or nothing at all and join us to offer support financially and energetically to the thousands of people who’ve been impacted by the LA wildfires. Sign up here.
* Sunday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW. 10:45-11:45am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.
pps. EPISODE 54 OF SHOCK AND YALL IS OUT NOW and I’m speaking with health economist JAMES MASKELL. With the soul of an advocate and the mind of an entrepreneur, James Maskell has spent the past decade sparking debate and encouraging a shift away from conventional western medicine and toward a wellness-centered, functional medicine model—starting with the doctors themselves. We are discussing how community heals and is at the center of revamping western medicine. This is airing at a serendipitous time as we are in place to BE the community for one another, especially here in Los Angeles. Please take a listen and here are a couple sneak peeks from our episode:
OH WAIT. You’re still here … could you, would you, pretty please leave us a review on Apple podcasts. Just click this link, scroll to the bottom to leave your thoughts and “stars” and I’ll send you an energetic HIGH FIVE along with my sincere appreciation.