And now for something a little different! Today feeling the Drama Dolls. These middle age women (the drummer is my sister Lisa) know how to rock and WARNING there is adult language (ie Cussing) I thought you might enjoy. Especially the team that loves cake! @Brandon Decremer @Dinka Salvador

Happy weekend, Rooted community. 🌿 This came up in a team conversation last week and it landed for all of us—so we wanted to bring it here. There’s a real difference between self-care and self-indulgence—and there’s room for both in a well-regulated life. But it matters that we don’t confuse them. Self-care (and co-care) are the practices that build resilience. They help us sustain. They regulate our nervous system and expand our capacity over time. They often require intention and sometimes even discipline—going to bed on time, moving your body, having a hard conversation, spending time in nature, breathing with someone who holds space for you. Self-care is proactive. It’s what fills the cup so you can keep showing up—for yourself and for others. Self-indulgence is different. It’s the second glass of wine with friends. It’s the donut. It’s the Netflix binge. And here’s the thing—it’s not bad. We’re human. Pleasure is part of being alive. But self-indulgence comes at a cost. It feels good in the moment, and the return is short-lived. The key is knowing you’re choosing it. In fact, yesterday, after some good self-care (support group and 6-mile hike) I dropped on the couch and binged The Pit and I am glad I did it! When we choose to indulge intentionally—when we slow down, savor it, and enjoy it fully without telling ourselves a story that it’s “self-care”—something important happens: shame is far less likely to show up afterward. Shame thrives in the gap between what we tell ourselves and what we actually did. When we call indulgence “self-care,” we set ourselves up for that gap. But when we name it honestly—“I’m choosing this because it’s going to feel good right now, and I’m going to enjoy every bit of it”—we stay in relationship with ourselves. That’s regulation. That’s choice. 🌱 Weekend Micro-Practice Before you do the next thing that “feels good,” pause and ask yourself: - Is this building something in me—or giving me a break from something? - Am I choosing this with my eyes open? - Can I savor this fully, without needing to justify it later?

About a month ago I was a guest on the Evergreen podcast. Thanks @Dinka Salvador @Brandon Decremer. Here is the edited version on YouTube. Check it out and share! It is also on Spotify. I share about the work of Hope Reimagined and my work in Oakland and some information on Forest Bathing

There’s a sharp edge on this one—and honestly, that’s exactly why it fits today. Sinner holds that tender, honest ache where complexity lives: remorse, longing, reckoning and the courage to name what’s real. Sometimes the darker tones are the most grounding because they don’t rush hints of light—they let you sit with what is. Esme Rose does that beautifully. Her voice feels intimate and brave at the same time, like she’s trusting you with something true. If you’re moving through a moment that’s heavy, reflective, or quietly raw, and let's be honest, during these times we all experience those moments. This song meets me when I am there. What song meets you where you are today?

Today’s soundtrack: Awake My Soul by Mumford & Sons 🎶 It’s got that soulful, rootsy country-folk feel that drops me straight into my body—feet on the floor, breath a little slower, heart steadying. One of those songs that quietly gathers all the scattered parts and says, You’re here now. Perfect for grounding, reflection, or a gentle morning reset. What song helps you land back in yourself today?