July 13, 2026
Personal Reflections
We all know that the world is complicated right now, and we should all continue to advocate for justice in more ways than one. That passion remains important, but today I invite you to pause, take a deep breath, and soak in the pleasure of the small and lovely things.
This weekend, I got to hang out with both our family dogs Elliot and Ernie. I got a couple of extra doses of Elliot time which is just what my soul needed. Not only did we have specific bonding time, but he was just by my side at every possible moment, hugging me often. I think he needed his Rachies too!
Elliot is our little Professor & Gentleman Baby — very distinguished, incredibly smart, very loving. Just as you can see in the picture above, Elliot likes to look deep into people’s souls. You can see him snuggling like a normal dog in this picture, but he often gets a little socially awkward with snuggling where he will sit upright, hand you a paw, and look deep into your soul. It is very sweet!
Spending time with Elliot made me feel very seen, loved, and cherished. Dogs and many other animals have a special way of sharing love that I think is really hard to create as humans. With no words at all, they display unwavering loyalty, unlimited love, incredible forgiveness for our human flaws, and a joy that never ceases to amaze me. I truly believe that animals have souls and distinct personalities, and anyone who says that animals don’t go to heaven better be careful to never bring the topic up around me!
We need animals, nature, the arts, all the big & little things that take us away from our screens because they bring us back into our humanity, center us, ground us, and press the “reset button” when we have worn ourselves out. All these things provide us the fuel to keep going and keep fighting for what is right, and the keep love at the center of it all!
I invite you to be intentional with your time this week, and prioritize time away from screens. Take a breath of fresh air and remember what a blessing it is to have air in your lungs and to be alive.
This Week in the Arts
Coming up this week, I will be publishing two pieces in my JOLT Column including:
Getting to know Nickolas Carlson
Insert Coin, Press ‘Start’, Say ‘I Do’
I will be publishing these articles under “Rachel’s Choice”
Sneak Peek: ‘Read the Park’ at Rebecca Howard Park
Review: Elvis '56: The Story Behind the King's Rise
To read my articles as they come out, I invite you to subscribe to the JOLT News and follow me on Instagram and Facebook, then invite a friend to do the same! :)
If you read a story that inspires you, I invite you to share it with others and help spread the word about the incredible things happening in the Thurston County Arts Community.
Other Fun Things This Week
Getting in ‘The Zone’: “The Night of the Meek” Season 2, Episode 11. Watch episode here to prepare.
14 Questions for My Community: How do you define the idea of the good life?
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