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.
a moment with mom
On Wednesday I went to Cupertino to have lunch with my parents and celebrate my mom’s birthday a few days late. After lunch we had some lemon meringue pie that I made that morning. It was so lemony & delicious. My parents love a lemon meringue pie. After lunch, my mom & I worked in…
cold plunge
I went in the ocean at China Beach around 8:30am today. A friend was celebrating her birthday with a cold plunge in the Pacific! The bay by my house was glassy. As I drove past, I glimpsed the sun dancing across the surface. It reminded me of Fallen Leaf Lake near Lake Tahoe. For years,…
love
Someone spelled LOVE on the sidewalk. I almost accidentally stepped on it, but didn’t. I stopped in my tracks and tears came to my eyes. I breathed in deeply and walked on feeling the ache in my heart. My restorative yoga teacher read a quote in class last night, “If you want to let go.…
flying through darkness
I’m 2 hours into a 5.5 hour flight across the country. The light out my window is waning as we fly into tonight’s darkness. I watched a movie for the first 2 hours called, We Live In Time. It had me shaking, crying, and trembling with grief for what I’ve never had and will likely…
cheryl strayed
I spent the last three days on a writing retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with Cheryl Strayed, 300 women writers & about 6 men. I thought I would be cool, but I was overcome and a bit giddy with how warm, real, generous, funny and witty Cheryl is. Her writing has…
delicate
The sweet, earthy smell of the controlled burns today fills the evening air Then the scent of fresh cut grass overpowers it Still later the indescribably natural smell rising up from the damp, earth erupting in wildflowers and a million kinds of green life takes over A cool breeze comes in with the tide, The…
farmer’s market
Yesterday I got rockstar parking at the Farmers Market. A local honey vendor I like (but was my second favorite) has a new orange blossom blend, which is now my new favorite. The adorable tomato guy with the most gorgeous, best-tasting tomatoes was there. I didn’t even have to wait in line. I can see,…
i am with you
My collaged vision for leading myself through my life. Title: I Am With You ~ Inspired by a recent online class with Carol Harada, Cutting Edge Collage: Invoking the Leader in You. ~ Thank you, Adriana Marchione and Carol Harada. I find, observe, cultivate and embody confidence in knowing myself well and in listening, observing,…
what really matters
There’s an explosion of new green everywhere, I saw the first poppies on the hillside today. Light pink blossom petals are silently fluttering to the ground with the slightest breeze. I’ve been easing my way back into my yoga practice after a 2-month break. I’ve found some energy and inspiration to cook a few meals…
full
I feel too full. I’ve taken in too much information for too long and it’s all unsettled inside of me. I feel my heart pounding throughout my body. Everything feels a little tingly and vaguely overwhelming. It’s quiet now where I am, but it’s still too loud from all the residual sounds of the ways…
iridescence
Post sunset iridescent glow of the San Pablo Bay near my home yesterday. This digital representation does not capture the beauty of the reality of this moment. My words do not capture the awe I experienced. I drove along North San Pedro Road through China Camp and I had to pull over because the way…
happy new year
I woke to a glowing pink sky. I made tea & ventured out to watch the sun rise. The cold air was enlivening. I heard calls of geese & gulls. I watched water birds flying silently, their passage reflected in the still water below. I envy their effortless elegance. I pray this calm moment can…