January 2025 Beauty as Medicine

Farallon islands from Mt Tamalpais, Marin County, CA

2025 is off to a harrowing start on every level: The Los Angeles firestorm devoured tens of thousands of homes, with lives, property and potential futures lost. Democracy, our institutions and the rule-of-law are crumbling as our country becomes an oligarchy, run by a sociopathic convicted felon and his mob of sycophants and tech-bros. Weather, caused by climate collapse, wreaked havoc around the globe. And the Buffalo Bills lost to the Kansas City Chiefs… 😢  

Before the year began, I made a commitment to dedicate each month’s blog to the overarching theme of BEAUTY, because I believe that beauty, and a deep connection with nature, is an absolute necessity to the health and wellbeing of our body, mind and spirit, even to our survival. I’ve taken other actions as well, to keep my sanity, while not burying my head in the sand. Now if only I can refrain from eating chocolate…

I chose to leave Meta’s Instagram, Facebook and Messenger social media apps as a small way of protesting their lack of fact checking and sucking up to the new regime. I’m trying out BlueSky instead. You can find me @beautyasmedicine.bsky.social  And while many people rang in the new year with “Dry” January, I had an Amazon-free January, again my small way of protesting a mega-corporation’s maga-ass-kissing. I even did something I’ve never done before. I wrote to my congressman and senators after federal aid was illegally shut down.  

How do we keep the faith, keep our light shining and love flowing, with the onslaught of “breaking” news and tyranny that shows no mercy?
Quietly listen for, and seek the truth.
Stay informed without giving in to the lies or the fear.
Cultivate connections in community.
Tend to all of our emotions.
Practice compassion.
Keep an open heart.
Support the vulnerable and oppressed.
Take a walk in the fresh air.
Find beauty and awe where ever you look.
Remember that darkness is full of potential.
Rest – Restore – Resist. Repeat.
Breathe.
Find inspiring, wise people to follow.

I invite you to read Krista Tippett’s “The Pause” on substack or listen to Bishop Budde’s sermon to the nation Jan 21. Follow Politics Girl, Rebecca Solnit, and Heather Cox Richardson on BlueSky, Substack or YouTube. 

Today is Lunar New Year – the year of the Yin Wood Snake. Maybe we could think of today as a do-over, fresh start to what seems like an already long year…

Snake is a Yin animal who embodies flexibility, and adaptability for change. With the ability to navigate and deeply understand complex situations, Snake always seeks wisdom in the face of great challenges. She is extremely resourceful and capable with a highly developed discernment chip, sometimes to a fault. Snake’s inner resilience combined with a forward think-outside-the-box mindset, are great qualities to help deal with our rapid world changes and challenges. It’s possible to cover substantial ground toward our long term visions and goals, both personally and collectively. Mystical, philosophical and a very spiritual creature, Snake is a seeker of deeper truths, and encourages us to trust our instincts and look beneath the surface. This is a year to foster deeper emotional and spiritual relationships both with others as well as ourselves. A good question to ask ourselves is “who truly is in my innermost circle?” Snake absolutely loves and values beauty in all things, and inspires creativity in the arts and magical arts. This is the year to create, the energetics are backing us on this! You can read the full article at Forces of Nature Design.

Thank you to everyone who signed up to receive my blog. Feel free to share it. Also, if you, or anyone you know, are in need of a spiritual guide, end-of-life doula, wedding or memorial officiant, please reach out.

Peace, love and blessings,

Rev. Lisa
Spiritual Guide
End-of-Life Doula
Interfaith Chaplain/Minister
Contemplative Photographer
Free Photos at Pexels
Spirit-Infused Healing Photography Books at Blurb
“Photography is my love language. Teaching people to see Beauty-as-Medicine is my Ministry.” Rev. Lisa