Unplugged
It's National Relaxation Day!
The Farsighted Observer
Greetings and Welcome, New Subscribers!
Happy National Relaxation Day to US readers. And the spirit of the holiday to all global readers. Maybe you’re observing Relaxation Week or even Month. Many people around the world take vacations during August.
I know not everyone is still on summer vacay. Some have returned to work, some are in the back-to-school mode already. Some of you in the Southern Hemisphere are mid-winter!
Yet the energy and collective longing of “getting away from it all” prevails. My feeds are full of retreat energy. Declarations of “I’m taking August off” appear daily.
And it matches my own intention. I use intention in the previous sentence because I intended to take August off as a personal retreat, yet here I am. It’s August 15 and I have one foot in and one foot out. And I’m not doing the hokey pokey… or am I?
There’s still a little over two weeks left in the month and then it’s Labor Day weekend here in the US. And lucky for me, I also have booked a trip to the Jersey shore a few days later. I return to Asheville on September 18, so I still can claim a month—if I hurry.
My wish for you is that you, too, claim some retreat time. Whether that looks like an hour or two stolen before everyone in the house awakens, a solitary afternoon or early evening walk in nature, or a full day, week, or month… I beg you, disconnect.
I’m not the only one who thinks so.
“Almost everything will work better if you unplug it for a few minutes, even you.” —Anne Lamott
You know it’s true ;)
While I’m unplugged…
Two things are still happening for sure. I’m writing out my Monthly Message in the Mail cards and they will be sent next week! If you’re new, here’s a quick take on how to receive your personalized handwritten note from me.
(1) Monthly Message in the Mail
I send a handwritten, personalized message inside a beautiful, art-inspired greeting card via snail-mail to paid supporters of this publication.
The cards are from a collection of greeting cards featuring the photography of my late husband, Joe Gemignani. All were created with love of craft by Joe and the publisher, Paper Lantern, who added a quote to accompany each image.
And I add another layer of love and appreciation as I write my message for the month on the inside.
You can opt-in monthly or annually and cancel at any time.
Is it worth it? Here’s what others are saying…
“Thank you for your card. It’s beautiful and so inspirational!” —Anne R.
“I had to write and tell you how much I loved the card and message you sent!” —Em J
“Thank you for the beautiful card and beautiful message you sent.” —Sandy L.
“Thank you so much for card. Inspiring and so true!” —Sylvie D.
(2) Midsummer Subscription Special
For the month of August, I’m offering a Free 2-card Reading to readers upgrading to a paid annual subscription—a bonus in addition to the other benefits!
How will it work? The reading will be done via email and once you upgrade, you’ll receive instructions on how we’ll proceed. You can expect your personal reading to arrive within a week after purchase.
Offer expires August 31, 2025 and is limited to new purchasers of an annual paid subscription.
Until September…
It’s entirely possible that I’ll be popping in and sending you some short or maybe even long messages in the next few weeks. But know that I’m using the unplugged time to reconnect with myself using my old go-to: being in nature. I’m looking forward to spending more time exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains where I live and then listening the ocean waves as I walk the beaches of South Jersey.
Please, please, please… join me in your own way. Can’t wait to exchange stories!
Until next time… My best, Shelley
