08.11.2025. Beauty is My Jam
Hello dear Friends,
“These days only beauty makes me cry”
–Bruce Cockburn
Beauty is my jam. No, not like apricot jam—though I do love a good crushed fruit cooked down to a pulp, spread on crusty toast with creamy peanut butter. This is what I am learning about our "jams" – it is that "thing" that has called to you, over and over again, even when you were not listening. That thing that you have been in awe of, drawn to; that thing that has called to you since you were a little thing. That thing that, no matter the roadblocks—fingers in both ears—no matter the mental ruminations running your jam amok, it refuses to die. That thing— is your jam—the sacred light you came here to shine. You will know it is near when there are tears—the quiet, tender kind, that open soft as a summer rain, pooling on hydrangea leaves, where you inhale the world.
The root of "jam" (n.2) is "a tight pressing between two surfaces," from 1806. The sense of "machine blockage" is from 1890 and likely led to the colloquial meaning "predicament" or "tight spot," first recorded in 1914. The jazz meaning—"a short, free improvised passage performed by the whole band"—dates from 1929, leading to "jam session" in 1933. This jazz sense may have come from "jam" (n.1) in the meaning of "something sweet, something excellent."
Perhaps you know your "jam"—that tight pressing between two surfaces, the tight press between soul and form, your "something sweet, something excellent"—but perhaps like most, that "something" was forgotten, sidelined, pressed, and blocked long ago, moved to the bottom of your "tend-to" love list. That little-bean-you that was wide-eyed and open, somehow got missed, not seen. But you were wise: to be safe, you tucked your sacred shine, your light, away. (You realize later in life, those misses unfold into gold.)
Now, perhaps, you're not even sure what your radiance is to offer the world. So, what do you do? How do you call back that "something sweet" in you?
Ask those around you—your sacred, trusted-true—for a consistent mirror. Give it water to grow. Ask yourself: What are you willing to make a stand for, no matter what, even if you stumble or stand alone?
Investigate her with tender interest and care.
This is how we reclaim our sweetness: write ourselves back into the first line of our love-list prayers. Then we lay down on the green ground and fall head over heels in love with this world—perhaps for the very first time.
Come Join Me Today
We will begin our time with a guided 7-point posture and 10-minute silent meditation, followed by a Metta meditation practice.
Drop-in Meditation Monday
All are welcome; no prior experience is needed—just bring an open heart.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Guided & Metta Meditation Practice
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Conversations on the Practice of Meditation
Location: 1765 Glenview Road, Glenview (in the Patio Shops)
Donations are gratefully accepted.
A bow of gratitude we are here together,
Love, Wini
This is my passion project, ‘my jam’ blooming more tender-beauty into our complicated world. Scroll below: 2 Poems, 3 Quotes, 1 Podcast, 2 Events Not-to-Miss, 1 Closing Song, and goodness between. Made with ♥️.
💌 Know someone who needs a little goodness for their heart? Please share! If this was forwarded to you, subscribe for your own copy
🌸 Two Poems
Feather on A Midday | Sister Dang Nghiem
If had not stopped to watch
A feather flying by,
I would not have seen its landing.
A tiny, pure white, fine feather.
Gently, I blew a soft breath to send it
Back to the spring.
In had not looked up to watch
The feather gliding over the roof,
I would not have seen
The crescent moon hanging
On a midday.
After the Undressing | Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
I had thought I was already naked.
I had thought I had shed
the mask, the robe, the dress,
the flimsy garments that tease.
I thought I had nothing left
to remove. Then came
slipping out of my laugh.
Taking off my smile.
Dropping my role, my hope.
Losing what I thought I knew.
I could never have said yes to this.
It is happening anyway.
I am less myself, only more.
There is a shawl of compassion, though—
its threads made of sunrise gold.
This. Whoever does the undressing
wraps me now in this.
🌿 Come be with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer in person!
Saturday, September 27th.
More than just poetry, this one-day retreat with Rosemerry is about being with ‘the all of it”—the beauty and sorrow, and the sacred between.
🌸 A Podcasts to Know About | I’m On My Third Listen!!! (so much to absorb)
A great listen about the scientific research about the brain and kindness as a practice.
The science is clear: “research shows that kindness changes the brain.” What an amazing time to be alive, so much research available to us to support the awakening of consciousness. And, what a profound importance too for us to know to support how we meet our lives, how we treat one another, and how we raise our children.
Dharma Lab podcast, hosted by Dr. Richard Davidson and Dr. Cortland Dahl explores the intersection of modern neuroscience and ancient contemplative practices. Watch Episode 1: The Most Important Thing
“My religion is kindness.”
— H.H. Dalai Lama
🌸 Seven Weeks & Counting! | Rosemary Wahtola Trommer, Saturday, September 27
"Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer opens her arms and heart and voice so wide, everything we experience comes inside to be held, to shine..."
Come experience the gorgeousness of poet, teacher, storyteller Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. To be in person with her, to sit in community with like-minded hearts, to make connections inward and outward, and to uplift and celebrate each other's beauty and light— there's no greater treat!
This event is more than just poetry-- it is about listening into what is true in your heart. Open to all. No writing experience needed.
In Beauty and In Sorrow: Writing Poems as a Tool for Meeting the All of It
Saturday, Sept 27, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (Lunch included)
Three ticket prices available.
Valley Lo Club, Glenview, IL
Buy your ticket here
🎶 Listen her poem The Broken Heart Goes Dancing
🌸 Yay! | Two Spots Open for My Women’s Fall Retreat!
Join me for a gorgeous retreat-time, September 11–14, at Soulful Prairies, just 90 minutes north of Chicago.
A slowing down time for rest and renewal, a time to uncover the heart through practices rooted in mindful awareness. We'll explore the Five Elements and the Six Paramitas, as a path to kindness and self-compassion for our tender hearts to hold in our complicated world.
A unique session on Saturday will feature the wisdom of horses, guided by equine gestalt therapist Linda Bruce. The retreat runs from Thursday at 4 p.m. to Sunday at 11 a.m.
If your heart says yes but finances are a concern, please reach out to me. You can learn more and reserve your spot here.
🌸 Closing Song 🎶 | Pacing the Cage
“Part of the job of being human is just to try to spread light, at whatever level you can do it"
Bruce Cockburn a song & musician just diving into– a song about the tenderness of this life, letting go of proving and the shiny self —the confining constructs we all get stuck in.
🎶 Listen here (3:02 min)
Sunset is an angel weeping
Holding out a bloody sword
No matter how I squint I cannot
Make out what it’s pointing toward
Sometimes you feel like you live too long
Days drip slowly on the page
You catch yourself
Pacing the cage […]
Sometimes the best map will not guide you
You can’t see what’s round the bend
Sometimes the road leads through dark places
Sometimes the darkness is your friend
Today these eyes scan bleached-out land
For the coming of the outbound stage
Pacing the cage
🌸 In all Mystical traditions, it is a great practice to close your practice, your day, your sacred offerings with chants and prayers of blessing, gratitude and protection.
“May you follow the truest voice inside
even if it is a whisper.
May kindness be a roadmap to unlock your heart.
May all beings be safe and protected."
Have a blessed day,
Love, Wini 💖
🌸 Share the Light!
If this Metta Newsletter resonates with you, you have the power to amplify its reach. Will you help spread this tender kindness and care? Share Metta with a friend who could use a dose of sweet goodness in their life.
Help increase more beauty-glow, small donations go along way and help me to continue the Metta Newsletter bloom 🌸 click here Venmo
✨ may we bloom more Light.
💞 may we grow more Goodness for the healing of all.
🌎 may each of us stitch more heart-tenderness into the fabric of our planet.
….Until next week. 💖 ✨
Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.
- Mary Oliver
