Wellness Corner – June 15th, 2021

Happy Pride Month!

• It’s worth watching the short 7minute documentary (at bottom of page) explaining how this beautiful book of photographs of couples in love came together even if you’re not going to buy it, but it would surely be a gorgeous addition to your coffee table collection.
• A free offering from the Library for you and your little one. Tune in for Rainbow Story Time at 10 am Wednesdays!
• I was sort of hoping that the Pride Parade would be back in full force this year, but the virtual offerings scheduled for June 26th and 27th still look great–I love Perfume Genius so make sure not to miss that performance on the virtual main stage Saturday, June 26th at 3pm!
• One of the ways UW is marking Pride Month is to encourage sporting your Pride colors every Friday in the month of June. If you need some accessories, Target has you covered. or you can check out REI’s new line!

Art from Our GME Community

Feel free to share your own artistic creation (writing, painting, poetry) for future issues. Enjoy this lovely poem by Michelle Chee, (rising) PGY 2 in Neurology:

Friends are the people whose heartbeats rhyme

Whose footsteps fit together like a jigsaw

Whose smiles blur together at the edges

Their dreams seep through one another

Their heartbreaks are patched with the same cloth

Their souls are dyed in complementary hues

They are trees under the same sky

They are candles at the same altar

They are notes in the same song

Friends are the people whose histories harmonize

Michelle says: “I moved to Seattle without knowing many people in the area, and because of the pandemic, I haven’t been able to see most of my close friends in person for the past year.  Recently two of my friends from medical school were able to visit me.  Spending time with them was such a relief and really gave me the sense of familiarity that I’ve been missing.  The people I’ve met here are great, but there’s nothing like old friends.”

Black Lives Matter

• If you’re unsure about the history of the Tulsa Race Massacre, this podcast episode is for you- it covers how this horrible event unfolded and how institutional racism infused it’s every turn. This year is the 100th anniversary of this event and the community that was brutalized never fully regrew.
• This month-long virtual festival will unfold across multiple dimensions at the intersection of Science, Race, Afro-Futurism, Imagination, Speculation, Sci-Fi, Social Sciences, and Philosophy. As you roam through the “halls” of this virtual world, you’ll discover information, performance, ritual and more!
• This article has some well crafted graphics that show how disadvantaged black boys and men, in particular, are when it comes to economic mobility.
• Paris is Burning is a tight documentary about the Balls in NYC in the 80’s where black genderqueer folks found a safe space to be themselves. You’ll notice the precursors to many of our dance moves and linguistic shorthand popping up. In other words this doc is fierce.

Mindfulness Minute

• What do we really know about Mindfulness? This article breaks down the proven benefits and the ones that are less sure. According to this research, it can help reduce bias, increase compassion and attention, and improve stress and relationship health among other benefits. Which have you experienced?
• I really enjoyed this meditation by Lama Rod Owens and it’s nice to revisit the recording a year later and appreciate his focus on holding the pain of racial injustice.
• For those of you hoping to get a meditation practice going, but who can’t seem to get over wanting it to be perfect, this message is for YOU.

FREE Yoga Fridays

Entertainment

• If you’re looking for some artsy fun, check out Fremont Summer Solstice Art Week, running June 15th-20th, with self guided tours, live art, floats and the market to explore!
• Seattle has no shortage of bodies of water and that means that you’ll have plenty of primo locations for paddle boarding–here are a few!
• With the nice weather and long light, it’s the perfect time to “take yourself out for a ball game”–grab your Mariner’s tickets now!
• From backyard BBQ to a private dinner in a suspended tree house (yes, I’m serious) Canlis has got something for every level of spendy you want to be. Treat yourself to a “Camp Canlis” special!
• Movies at the Mural is back this summer! Mark your calendar for your favorite flick–I’m not planning to miss Princess Bride on July 31st!