Wunjo Way of Joy

Years ago, I found The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum—a companion for the spiritual warrior, offering guidance through simple stones inscribed with ancient symbols. Among them, the rune Wunjo—joy—kept appearing, quietly insisting that joy is not just a fleeting feeling but a direction, a compass, a way of being. It still feels true. Wunjo is a reminder to orient toward inner alignment, beauty, and the harmonies that arise when we live close to nature and close to ourselves.

I’ve been writing on and off since my teenage years—scribbling into notebooks, chasing questions, trying to remember and reveal who I am and why I’m here in this body, on this Earth. Writing became a way of listening: to my own heart, to the natural world, to the whispers of something larger. Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages showed me how to meet myself on the page, honestly and without judgment. That practice stayed with me. Writing still brings me peace, joy, and the kind of clarity that comes only through attention and reflection.

This blog is an offering from that place—a contemplative space shaped by curiosity, longing, love, and a quiet devotion to beauty. It’s a way of tuning in, of learning through presence, of honoring the seasons both within and without. The Wunjo Way is not a fixed path—it’s a practice of becoming, again and again, with wonder and heart.

Support

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 Today I’m moved by my own strong desire to feel supported in my life. Support for me feels like connection, listening, calling, showing up, checking in, offering, loving, communicating, making time, encouragement, patience, and presence. I know there is a wide net of love that exists for me. And…

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#metoo

Last Updated on September 25, 2025 Every time I see, hear or read the name Ben, I think about the Benjamin R. Holland, who I was on the Swimming & Diving Team with at Kenyon College, who had sex with me without my consent. Even now as I write this 20 years later, I hesitate…

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Depression

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 It’s been a long time since I wrote a long post. This has been on my mind for a while and tonight I wanted to share with you some very raw, personal thoughts. Depression is something that I’ve had a lot of experience with for a really long time.…

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Change

Last Updated on May 30, 2026 Almost 20 years ago, in my early 20’s, I was living in San Francisco. I was in a relationship with a man from Chicago who grew up in a predominantly white, Irish Catholic, working class neighborhood where it was very common for him, and mostly everyone in his life,…

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Safe

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 I pray to be a safe person for myself, for ALL my fellow human beings, and a safe person for our environment. I pray to not only refrain from harming myself, others and nature, but to participate in allowing others to experience safety in my presence at all times.…

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Humble

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 From Humble Beginnings – this postcard is from early 2010…yikes. Many people probably don’t know that my web design business, KojolaPower, actually started as a yoga class. I was cleaning out my computer files today and found this postcard design that I made in 2010. I am totally embarrassed…

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Create

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 Today I’m happy about being invited to sit down and make a collage by Oakland artist Jan Stamos in her studio. I’m happy about art, artists and people that feel a burning desire to create and share their creations. I’m happy about the art in my life, all the…

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Wonder

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 I’m grateful for a day of big, extravagant self-care. I got a massage and did the bathing ritual several times at the Sonoma Mission Inn with some loving sisters. I gave myself as much opportunity for calm, relaxation and peace as I could. It helped a lot. I feel…

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Grandma

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 I usually love costumes, dressing up, carving pumpkins and trick ‘r treating…but I just wasn’t feeling any of it this year. I found a way to celebrate Halloween at Medicine Theater improv class tonight where we invited ancestor spirits into our intuitive, spontaneous play. I connected with my maternal…

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Women

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 I’m SO blessed because my entire life has felt like one long empowering women’s circle. Every woman in my family is a strong, powerful, can do, make it work, pushing the envelope, outspoken about women being kind, fair, intelligent leaders kind of woman. Every Kojola, Berger, Ahrens, Martin, Murray…

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Impatient

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 I felt very impatient today with the snails pace of change in our world. I watched two powerful documentaries by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Miss Representation and The Mask You Live In. I feel fired up about so many ISSUES in our culture that contribute to so much pain for so many people. It’s…

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Yoga

Last Updated on November 13, 2018 In my yoga class last night, I noticed a familiar inner dialogue that was in opposition to the teacher; her voice, her tone, her instruction, and her adjustments…just not exactly the way I like it. I kept thinking I would kindly ask her not to touch me, that I…

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