SEEK THE GLIMMERS
IN THE AFTERMATH
You may have noticed we didn’t publish a blog for January and have not been as active on social media as we would typically be.
Like so many others in Los Angeles/Los Angeles County, Teresa Brown, our founder, lost her family home and shop’s studio office space in the Eaton Canyon Fire of early January 2025.
In addition to all personal items, ALL of LEISURE & JOIE’s inventory, equipment, and materials, were lost, as well, so we have been on a forced hiatus since.
If someone had told us 2025 would start off in such a way, affecting so many in such a deeply devastating way, we would not have believed it.
In the days since, the emotions experienced have ranged from shock and disbelief, to despair and extreme lows, eventually settling at acceptance and, luckily, even a bit of hope.
“GRIEF IS THE PRICE WE PAY FOR LOVE.”
getting through the grief
In keeping with our lifestyle philosophies, LEISURE & JOIE, we believe finding joy and making time for leisure are paramount to a healthy existence. Taking care of your overall wellness, well-being, and self-care, are critical to living a balanced life - ESPECIALLY when things are less than ideal.
This is not to say you should not allow yourself to FEEL your grief. Trying to ignore or gloss over the reality and the emotions doesn’t work. Not only is that not a realistic approach to healing, it is an overall unhealthy way to live. This is a reminder that we must not allow grief to consume us.
By “normal” standards, this month’s post would have been some sort of self-love/self-care, etc. information, considering today is Valentine’s Day. In a way, it is.
This post is a catarthic expression of accepting the challenge of continuing to move forward in life, despite grief, and finding those moments that heal us and show us elevated versions of ourselves.
You may have heard the term “glimmers” thrown around lately.
These are simple and fleeting moments in which you notice something so small that brings you joy, peace, and a sense of calm (regardless of what is going on around you).
Here are a few examples that we’ve noticed despite everything going on.
Enjoying that first sip of coffee in the morning
Watching a bee land on a flower
Feeling a raindrop on your nose
Witness a sunset or the sun rise
These are what we like to call “the little things” and it should not come as a shock that in the single most devastating time in our lives - holding on to these beliefs and our tangible mindfulness practices, have been some of the tools that have brought us “back to life”, as it were.
“LIFE ISN’T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS, IT’S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.”
“As soon as it was feasible, I bought a book I had been in the midst of reading (Out of EVERYTHING I lost - I miss my books the most), a journal to overcome my feelings of despair and overwhelm, and running/exercise gear.
Though difficult at first, I knew that continuing the practices that keep me grounded and centered would ultimately help me through. I continued to meditate, do my affirmations, and though I had JUST lost EVERYTHING… held on to the belief that I have to KEEP GOING.
I’m no stranger to pivoting, starting over, redirecting... these are just old friends who show up unexpectedly to keep me sharp, creative, and resourceful in the face of adversity.”
Sure when life kicks you down, it is very easy to fall into the “woe is me” trap.
Listen, this was a force majeure. Not one of us could have imagined this happening. Yet so quickly, this tragedy affected SO MANY LIVES, in so many ways. Somehow that simple fact, made things a little easier to bear.
Watching the community collectively wrap their arms around us and everyone else - has been truly beautiful, comforting, and such a humbling sensation to feel and witness.
“WE BEREAVED ARE NOT ALONE. WE BELONG TO THE LARGEST COMPANY IN ALL THE WORLD - THE COMPANY OF THOSE WHO HAVE KNOWN SUFFERING. ”
This is the last selfie I took at home just days before the Eaton Canyon Fire changed our lives. I remember feeling very relaxed and content that day. We were celebrating my Mom’s birthday.
what’s next?
“LIKE A PHOENIX*”… a phrase that helped put things into perspective. This phrase came to mind and it came across almost like a command.
We implore you, when you have an inspired thought or idea - WRITE IT DOWN. Though NOT the way we envisioned the year starting… this phrase seems like an appropriate theme for the year.
Losing everything has been a truly humbling, devastating, and challenging experience, as we know so many others can imagine. We’ll all rise through the ashes and thrive once again.
We can’t lose hope in the space between where we are and where we’ll be.
The human spirit is an interesting phenomenon. We are resilient, we are multi-faceted beings capable of great things.
RELIEF
We are excited to be in the midst of creating a tangible product (available for pre-order within the next few weeks) to help our shop with relief. The money we raise from sales will go to helping us restart operations (purchase new inventory, replace our shipping/packing equipment, etc.)!
We are forever grateful to everyone who has donated to my family’s GoFundMe.
The support has been overwhelming and will never be forgotten.
* PHOENIX IN MYTHOLOGY : a rare but powerful magical bird, able to burst into flames and be reborn from the ashes. As a result, they can live to a very old age. Resplendent in crimson and gold, phoenixes have tails as long as a peacock with feathers that glow faintly in the dark.
We had just printed these new order pack-ins.
We picked them up the day after we lost everything. We won’t lose hope - we’ll use them SOON!
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THANK YOU!
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