Gari Talks

continuing on with our end of year reflection

where have you noticed the most growth in yourself this year?

what, if anything, do you feel like you've outgrown?

it's been such a short yet long, tough, trying, rewarding, and pivotal year. lots revealed; so many transitions, shifts, lessons & blessings sprinkled throughout

as the calendar year comes to a close, i am curious what lessons you're reflecting on 🤔

this has been a jam packed calendar year! so many lessons, blessings, connections

they say relationship is the currency of heaven and boy o boy am i rich 🤑🥰

feeling so grateful to be surrounded by people who Love me and who i love

reminds me to take more photos of the people i love. (also they ain't let me tag everyone >.

you matter and i pray you are taking gentle care of your soul in these revolutionary times

me & some moments of july joy

it's been a long, rewarding & also demanding, fast paced month!
filled with, what i call, a full platter of life:

a lil bit of bustle,
a lil bit of hustle,
a thick slab of joy, satisfaction, reward,
~ 1-2 handfuls of grief,
plenty of deep breaths
some mistakes + lessons,
*hard boiled and gentle gentle gentle*
rest
and whole lotta Love ........and dance!

das me lately

also, been noticing a lot of 'i told you so' moments recently... anything you feeling like 'i told you so' about?

if no one has told you yet today, allow me to be the first:

you are magnificent. divinely made. already worthy, already whole, always sacred.

and not because of anything you have done. or will do.

just because you are.

your existence is proof that you MATTER ⚛️

so act like it. and give a f**k about yourself

and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

let's acknowledge all the blessings (and lessons!) that have brought you right here, right now to this very moment :)

what is something you've prayed for that is here now?

you're more glorious than you give yourself credit for 🌹

i can't believe i've been back in the states for 10 days. the transition has been smooth and also surreal af because while my body is here...

my soul is still in Taiwan.
and tonight, i am feeling the ache of being around so much family and natural beauty.

i never got a chance to grow up around this side of my family. and from what i know and knew about them... closeness, intimacy, and physical touch were seemingly never on the agenda. (Asian culture is not traditionally the most touchy-feely)

being able to go back on my own this time and being willing to be my fullest self was so liberating and healing - for myself and for them. look at all that touch!

it really is so true that as we fully embody the truth of our WHOLE being and be ourselves unapologetically, we present that gift of authenticity and liberation to the people closest to us.

major shout out to my aunt for providing daily affirmation and encouragement to be my full self always.

[slide 1: a forlorn gari, missing Taiwan
slide 2: my 阿嬤 (grandma) laughing
slide 3: my 叔公 and 嬸婆 (great uncle - grandpa's younger brother - and his wife)
slide 4 and 5: extended family members on my 阿公 (grandfather's) side - my grandpa's nephew 毓庭阿舅 is the one facing the camera, and his mom (grandpa's little sister) is the one raising her glass
slide 6: me and this same great-aunt, my 姑婆, embracing outside of a temple. funny story: this moment was totally spontaneous; on my first day back in Puli, i went to the temple and ran into her (and her daughter, 筱婧, featured in slide 11)!
slide 7: me at my 姑婆's house (same great-aunt, she is a killer chef), and her daughter in law + granddaughter
slide 8: my aunt , friend Alice , and me wearing the hats tea farmers used to wear
slide 9: me and a capybara who let me put an orange on his head
slide 10: my 阿公 and me
slide 11: my 姑婆's (great aunt's) daughter 筱婧- that's the homie
slide 12: a farewell hug with Alice on my last day
slide 13: my 阿嬤 and me
slide 14: my 阿公, 阿嬤, and me - last pic we took together. night before i left]

sending some peace your way 🌹✨️

[slide 1 & 2: Wujie Dam (武界壩) in Nantou County
slide 3: Liyutan (鯉魚潭) in Nantou County
slide 4: bamboo creaking in the wind at Dakeng (大坑) in Taichung
slide 5: water (and tadpoles!) found along the trail to see Taiwan's oldest and largest camphor tree in Xinyi Township in Nantou County]
slide 6: garden at the coffee shop next to 觀音山莊餐廳 in Nantou County]