Cassandra Ellis

being on (y)our time

It's late Friday night last week and the door gently opens to self-compassion: what if you skipped this week of publishing, wrote your note this weekend, and scheduled it to send out next Friday? My Thursday and Friday of last week flowed differently than I thought they would. I didn't

Episode 4: Being with Nudges (and there is no map of your life)

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Cassandra is back by the creek for a chat about nudges and invitations from the universe, if nudges ever go away, how there isn't a map of your life, and more. Gratitude for Ernest the dog and fellow explorer and the forest and

(re)clearing space for the here and now

For the past three months, there has been a pile of stuff in the middle of our living room, which is in the middle of our quite small home. The landladies hired a variety of contractors to do a bunch of work on the garage and the storage room off

are you re-entering too?

Hi there or rather... Hiya – as some say where I was recently traveling, Hello after some time apart (unless you're Betsy, my mother-in-law, or Nathan, my husband, who are both readers... and hello to Ian, my father-in-law, too – we were all traveling together)! This is what we were up to

Episode Three: Being with Reuniting Fresh Starts

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Cassandra and Ernest are back from a recent summer adventure (and other summer adventures, too, that took them away from the mic). They are reunited and back by the creek in the forest. Cassandra shares about fresh starts after being apart from Ernest

overflowing with transition's presence

The flower known as the fall-blooming anemone (in the header ^) hangs out right along the pathway to my front door. This particular anemone blooms throughout August* and, for the past five years, has helped me transition from late summer to early fall. I moved into this home when I was

why i'm in love with being a creative partner

👋🏼Last week I wrote about getting off the train of a worn-out pattern and hopping on the-hosting-my-first-Creative-Work-Retreat train. I co-designed this retreat with friend and prolific creator, Diona Williams. I'm her Creative Partner. Read on for what it means to be a creative partner. why i'm in love with being

getting off the sense-confirming train

Hi there, Yeah, so what's the sense-confirming train you ask? (it's the subject line if you're like... uhh... what?) The sense-confirming train is what I just now named the pattern of ending sentences with "... does that make sense?" I am still rolling off the delicious fumes (good good fumes... so

jump in and experiment

Two ways you might want to read this: 1. "Cassandra's starting a personal experiment with Twitter. I'm curious to read how and why she's doing it." 2. "Cassandra's starting a personal experiment and I wonder if there are elements of this experiment I want to apply to my own life,

gratitude for you + the act of finishing

🌊sharing gratitude for you today and experiments with finishing On this day today, I'm feeling gratitude for being able to connect with you! I'm feeling grateful that this connection with you through the Internet is working. And that you are likely resonating with what is shared here. This is such

as we move through chaos

How's your body feeling right now?* *my attempt at a potentially more answer-able question than "How are you today as you move through your personal and our collective chaos?" Even more answer-able... Where are your feet right now? What about your shoulders? 🌊My energy has been all over the place

Episode Two: Being with Nonprescriptive Creativity

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Cassandra takes you back to the creek for a chat about documentation, the perceived duality of following inspiration or consistently working, nonprescriptive creativity, and more. Gratitude for Ernest the dog and fellow explorer and the forest and all its beings for sharing this

question rhythms

Hi there, Welcome to July. And a happy happy birthday to Benay, my mom!! I so appreciate your responses to the latest podcast episode I shared. You can listen to or read the podcast episode here. Episode One: Being with Energy and a CreekListen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify

actual link to podcast

Hey again, There wasn't an easy link to the podcast in that note I just sent. Links galore for you: Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts Listen to the episode on Spotify Listen to the episode on Be With Cassandra – read the whole transcript here, too! Til next time,

tiny birds and new podcast episode

Hi there, Happy Solstice (week)! Summer is my favorite season so I'm grateful to be here today – I am grateful to be connecting with you today. 😊Let's get into tiny birds, virtual co-working, and a new podcast episode (yep, I host a podcast!). A few hours ago my eyes moved

Episode One: Being with Energy and a Creek

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Cassandra takes you to the creek for a chat about courage as a muscle, half birthdays, stuck-ness, energy patterns, and more. Gratitude for Ernest the dog and fellow explorer and the forest and all its beings for sharing this experience with Cassandra. Aired

in the company of time

How are you on this June-y Friday? What's going on in your world? What are you letting go of or taking in from this week? (reply in your mind or in your email, if you want. I love hearing about your world!) Ernest and I are breathing much more slowly

who you are today

Hi there, The last few months it's been a challenge to get back into my weekly writing rhythm. While I was walking with Ernest yesterday something clicked – maybe it's not about getting back to it but rather stepping into whatever new rhythm is needed in this new moment. More than

staying in touch?

How have you been staying in touch with people? How have I been staying in touch with people? How have we not been staying in touch? These questions have been rolling around in my mind and body. What's arisen within me is: * some personal experiments * the phrase "staying in touch"

are whys floating around you too?

Have the big "why's" been coming up for you? Are why's floating around in the air with all the pollen? I've been moving through a ton of whys lately... asking myself why I'm doing certain things in my life... why am I doing the thing in this way... why is

getting lost is part of the plan

Last week Ernest and I bypassed our usual forest starting point and drove around the corner to another entrance. It's the same forest but on the other side of the creek. * We were enjoying the adventure and decided to keep walking past the point we had always previously turned around

going through it

Hi there, Your 'it' is likely different than my 'it' – or more realistically it's 'its' – all the 'its' that you're going through right now. All the challenges, struggles, joys, changes, expansions, endings, beginnings, fears... all your 'its,' all my 'its,' all my neighbor's 'its,' all your child's

being on the same wave

Hi there, I imagine I've always liked patterns. Maybe you too? The patterns that show up in our human habits are specifically very cool to me. One pattern that revealed itself to my elder neighbor friend and me awhile back is when we cross paths frequently and when we don't.

receiving

Funny how awhile back I shared with you that I don't do quick fixes [https://www.bewithcassandra.com/not-here-for/]. I've been testing something out for a few weeks now. I've been wanting to share about it with you since I learned about it. Well, I've been diving into the science

creative stage switching

This is the fourth drafted note I've written. I keep writing down ideas that fall flat. So, instead I'll ask, what are you needing right now? How's March going for you? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm finding life is asking a lot of me right now. I'm needing to do a lot of

community is...

I'm heading to the storage unit that houses the resources for a wilderness school for which I'm the resource manager. Got this paper at a local garage sale and it gave me the idea to have a quote up in the storage unit for educators to take in whenever they

potlucking with trees

Hey! Welcoming you to this place, wherever you're joining from today. You may have recently joined this Be With Cassandra homebase from a recent gathering together On Nurturing Your Sense of Place [https://rootsandskylearning.org/events/teacher-wellness]. I welcome you if you're new here. I welcome you if you're old

a friday candle

In a meeting earlier, I lit the beeswax candle on my desk. Sharing with you now to bring some ease and light to your Friday, or whatever day you're seeing this. 🕯 (sound = white noise) video of medium sized beeswax candle lit and sitting atop a glass plate with some found

crowd-sourcing curiosity

We interrupt our normally scheduled programming for an invitation to join in the questioning of our evolving CoCreation Publication co-creators... hahaha this sentence has made it into the final draft. Upon reading what I had typed, I tilted my head, laughed a bit and questioned myself: "what is our normally

(not) here for

Two simple lists for you today: Be With Cassandra is not here for... * "hacks"* quick fixes of most any sort... productivity hacks, cooking hacks, teaching hacks. I can totally get lost in a quick fix for something that's bugging me but it's hardly ever the sustainable gem I want it

this is the very beginning

Maybe this story will offer you a gift today? Let's find out. 🔎Today's story I consider a Co-Creation Classified as I am inviting you to join a few gatherings later this month. Not sure this story is for you? Read this next bit to determine if so.This story is

making it real

What's something in your life that's becoming more real over time? The something might happen pretty fast (like making dinner) or slower (like painting a painting) or even slower (like building a house). There may very well not be a clear end point (like raising a child). Whatever the thing

gray day?

Where do you go when words aren’t enough? Or aren’t coming to you? Or just aren’t what’s needed? It was gray here yesterday. I've been feeling kind of gray with my connection and communication, too. But I still want to connect. Just not through words. I

tell someone

So last week I shared [https://www.bewithcassandra.com/letter-to-ann-friedman/] with you the application letter I'll be submitting soon to Ann Friedman for her writing fellowship. I've got it down to a page now! (If you dance your way to the bottom of this post [https://www.bewithcassandra.com/letter-to-ann-friedman/

a letter to Ann

[UPDATE: dance your way to the bottom of this post for the latest update(s) on my application letter] You likely don't know Ann. I don't know her either. I do enjoy reading her weekly newsletter [https://www.annfriedman.com/weekly], though. Maybe you read – or want to read! – her

delete this after reading (v2)

hey hey, I wrote version 1 of 'delete this after reading' on my old Substack [https://experimentsinbelonging.substack.com/p/eib-delete-this-after-reading]. And I want to bring the concept back today, in week 52 of 2021. In v1, you'll see [https://experimentsinbelonging.substack.com/p/eib-delete-this-after-reading] an experimental list of how

you matter

that's all – you matter. just wanted to make sure you remember. Til next time, Cassandra -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.S. and the coyotes matter. and the hummingbirds and moss and fungi and the salt waters and fresh waters. oh my. so many beings, you included, to behold and embrace. P.P.S.

💭 Share More Fragments

On my coffee table sits a huge spiral-bound sketchbook. It's usually open to the latest creation. I mainly use it (1) for visualizing big picture thinking and (2) when I realize the need to re-establish my body+mind connection (since typing on my laptop easily tends towards forgetting). This Venn

🏔️ Listening to the Waterfall

I'm taking part in a writing circle and the host [https://www.marcemerrell.com/] offered us experiments aligning with sound. I've felt distracted with life and death these past several weeks (past several years, too?) and so I let the simplicity of closing my eyes guide me while out on

🤔 What's the alternative to advice?

Covered in today's share: * motion vs. action * timing + capacity * advice vs. inspiration Motion vs. Action Yesterday I was listening to Brené Brown and James Clear in their Part 2 conversation [https://brenebrown.com/podcast/atomic-habits-part-2-of-2/] on Brené Brown's Dare to Lead [https://brenebrown.com/podcast-show/dare-to-lead/] podcast. James Clear spoke

Downing a Bottle of Concentrated Juice

No wonder I'm tired. (Are you tired, too?) No wonder my mind is simultaneously full and empty. (Maybe yours too?) On Monday I returned from a very quick trip to Florida to celebrate my husband's grandmother's 90th birthday – and to be with her and more family (like Betsy! A reader

🚪 What's Behind Door #2?

This story flowed out of my fingers a few days ago in one sitting. That certainly doesn't happen every time. I sat at the table after eating lunch, still wearing the clothes I wear on my late morning walk with Ernest (which lately have a yummy mix of rain water,

🌀 it's gone: losing the familiar

Last week I started playing with another two part-er – or as I'm starting to call them – two part(i)ers. Last week was part 1 and here we have part 2! Peek back at part 1, if you wish. In the corner of the world in which I live it

✨ Stick Around For This Unfolding Vision

Maybe you've poked around here for a bit. Maybe this is your first time here. Whether you've stopped by here before or not, you may be wondering what Be With Cassandra is all about. This small portal on the Internet is unfolding into and becoming: * a place to reinvigorate your

⭕ pen for a Venn Diagram Retrospective

A few weeks ago I brought you a 2 part-er (OG, original, posts in which I split them into a Part 1 and Part 2). Maybe I'll start calling them 2 partiers? As I flowed with writing this sharing today, I sensed this would make for a sweet 2 part(

"Spit out the sour taste of unmet expectation"

🌬️ Over Zoom one time maybe about a year ago, a friend said our conversation was reminding him of a poem he knew. As I was walking with Ernest the other day, the poem floated back into my mind and heart, meeting an inner need of mine in that moment.  I

Spontaneous Interview?

But not really an interview. More like a deluge of question marbles rolling around in my mind. Maybe you'd like to stop one with the toe of a shoe, pick it up and let it roll around in your mind for awhile. Want to share your responses to one or

🕸️ Softening Taut Tendrils

Last week I started playing with something new – a two part-er. Last week was part 1 and here we have part 2! Peek back at part 1, if you wish. [https://www.bewithcassandra.com/lingering-and-unteathered/] Touching the shadowed and weeping walls of the caves, immediately I sense grief, loss, change.

🐌 Lingering and Unteathered

I'm playing with something new - a two part-er. This week = Part 1, next week = Part 2. Let's dive in... I still have goodbye cards and picture magnets to give to the young children I was teaching when the pandemic arrived in our corner of the world. I designed and

🏘️ What's Your Community Threshold?

Want to get a glimpse into something I've been noodling over for awhile? Read on when you have a moment to sink in... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I talked with a lot of people about leaving Facebook before I left it. You might very well be one of the people! I thought and

Episode Zero: Being With Change Transcript

[birds sing three twirls] Cassandra: [00:00:00] Hello. Welcome to [laughs] the podcast formerly known as Change Is. And I'll share the new name of the podcast at the end of this little welcome. So, I published the trailer back in May. And what I've come to realize is

🌕 🍂 Podcast Episode Zero Is Here & Self-Support Too

Snuggled in between the harvest full moon yesterday and the autumnal equinox (or spring equinox in the southern hemisphere) tomorrow, I published "episode zero" of my newly renamed podcast earlier today. Months ago I published the trailer [https://be-with-cassandra.captivate.fm/episode/trailer] of the podcast. I share about the

👷🏽‍♀️ Dreaming & Building in Public

Today is the start of a dream in public / build in public experiment. I'm excited and nervous to tell you about it. I first came across the term "build in public" in someone's short bio at the end of some article they wrote and latched onto it, diving into a

🌱 Tending to The Starting

Starting can be a challenge. Re-starting something can be a challenge, too. Saying "hi" to someone new can be nerve-wracking. (Re)kindling a relationship, a practice, a habit, a routine, a ritual can take guts. Starting can lead to ease. Starting can lead to failure. Starting can unfold into joys

Belief Statement + The Eight Embodied Values

☆ Belief Statement About The Work I Share The work I share with the world - and how I share it -  is a mysteriously beautiful, beautifully mysterious mix of my offerings (innate and learned), the universe’s offerings (clear and beyond-the-known), and societal offerings (advantages and restrictions). My sphere of

👩🏻‍🔬 Experiment! Play! Be Messy!

Is there a word that you gravitate towards? Is there a word that you just want to keep using in your writing or your speaking? Maybe you don't even know why it sticks with you - or leaves your mind and then keeps returning again and again. I have several

Humble Beginnings

This is my humble beginning here in a place with my name on it, Be With Cassandra. Putting my name in the name feels like a humble declaration, a way of vulnerably choosing myself.

Change Is: Coming Soon

Welcome to the Change Is Podcast! Cassandra is in the midst of bringing this podcast to your listening ears. What you can do right now: 1. Listen to the 3 min. trailer. 2. Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast listening platform. You will be the first, then, to

On Pruning Bobby

Yes, the tomato plant I'm tending to has a name.