Every year when I find myself trying to find the seemingly right words that honor what was, is now and will hopefully be, I am wondering about how to begin. And it is not any different this time around.
So maybe…why don’t we pause for a moment and turn to the music streaming platform of your choice and put on John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’?! Maybe we take a moment and allow ourselves to listen to the words and the gravity of them. And maybe we can sit and observe a little what is coming through our imagination as we hear this.
GRATITUDE, 2024
It was a challenging time for the world and for many of us, personally. I want to pause and honor that.
And in and amongst this, our hearts feel humbled and grateful of the kind and beautiful moments throughout this past year. In terms of our creations via this platform, last year’s cravings for hope and fairytales have come to fruition through three fairytales created by my beautiful team. We launched two stunning collections that carried forward the energy of strong wisdom symbols such as the Owl, Elephant god Ganesha and Ma Durga – all characters that felt like there was a need for them to shine through as we navigated challenging and bumpy personal, political, societal, economical and environmental landscapes.
We expanded our charity bracelet collection by adding on several new hand braided bracelets and through this, continued to support the Bali moms and kids of the last few years. We opened a new, stunning store in Sanur, we added beautiful new souls to our team in Bali and most importantly I gave birth to my sweet daughter Jaya Ariel. She is going to turn 1 year old very soon and this first year has been one big adventure juggling momma time and work and life and all the nuances in-between. And while my heart feels a lot, I definitely am filled with gratitude when I look back at these past 12 months.
WHY KINDNESS MATTERS
As always, when I come to observe the external, my gaze turns inward and I begin to wonder – how much is the external an impression of my internal and what is it I can contribute to influence my surroundings with truth and heartfelt, deep intentions?
Not only do I want to live a life steeped in truth and intention, but also one that is through and through kind. Kindness is needed in the world. Yes, it is lacking in some parts. And when practiced, kindness attracts the right kind of people. Kindness nurtures community.
Kindness is a universal language. A small, thoughtful gesture—a smile, a kind word, or an act of help—can ripple outward, creating a wave of positivity. Research even shows that acts of kindness can boost happiness, improve mental health, and reduce stress for both the giver and the recipient.
Kindness isn’t just about grand gestures; often, it’s the little things that mean the most. Helping a neighbor carry groceries, offering to babysit for an overwhelmed friend, or even just actively listening to someone who needs to talk and be listened to —all these actions contribute to a kinder world.
Imagine the world we could create if everyone embraced kindness as a guiding principle and worked to strengthen their communities. It’s not just about changing others—it’s about changing ourselves. In practicing kindness, we become more patient, empathetic, and resilient. Together, we can create a world where every small act of kindness brings us closer to each other and to a brighter future.
WE CAN NOT NOT BE IN COMMUNITY
Humans are wired for connection. Communities provide us with a sense of belonging, support, and purpose. When we foster strong, interconnected communities, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and cared for. If you listen in deeply you might detect that there is always a longing to belong to something greater, which gives our lives meaning.
Com(m)-unity = to be together, in union. We are tribal animals – no one will ever be able to live and survive without community. And so for this coming period, what if we allowed ourselves to lean a little more into community? What if we became the cheerleaders, trailblazers and referees that called community into action through honest shares, nurture and kindness? Can you dare to call out to community when you are in need?
Intimacy and connection thrives on vulnerability and honesty. I find it an interesting exploration to see how much I am capable to lean into my vulnerability especially with humans that are not my closest, but of whom I know that they deeply care. What opportunities would rise from being real and vulnerable – but not in a collapse kind of way, more in a way of allowing to be deeply held and honored?
I truly believe that as long as we keep aspects of ourselves hidden from the visible eye because we believe only an edited version of who we are will be accepted by others, we are depriving ourselves of belonging and connecting. To weave a life of true belonging we must commit to a slow accumulation of intimacy.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ONES TO WHOM COMMUNITY ISN'T READILY AVAILABLE?
The state of connection and community is a reflection of our inner state. For the ones that struggle to find or be in community the question about what else could be done rises.
In times of being by myself I noticed that through deepening my connection to source, to nature, to the goddess energy that Bali is full of, I can facilitate a sense of belonging from within. Ultimately, our inner strength reflects on the type of community we create for ourselves. I maintain this part of me through checking in with my mental health, through therapy, self-expression and art. The truer to myself I can show up in this world, the more authentic my relationships with my loved ones become. What I create within is what I call in externally.
For the ones who are not immediately surrounded by community, the opportunity for online trainings and mentorship, workshops and virtual gatherings is given – we just launched our virtual monthly Moon Gatherings for exactly these reasons, to create and offer circles of support and belonging. If this calls to you, take a look here.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OTHER CULTURES?
Especially in South East Asia the concept of community builds strongly on the structure of family. Families and close groups rely on one another forming bonds, regardless whether they are of same blood or not, that are rarely put to question when times get hard. Reciprocal support is key for everyone to survive. It can be as simple as that.
I invite you to become curious about how other cultures ‘do community’. Which cultures are you familiar with? What is their sense of community? What is ours? What could we learn from another? What could we teach one another? Let’s get educated on how things can be done differently and maybe invite it into our world.
Let’s all be in together-ness
How do we cultivate time and connection together? Here are some ideas:
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Shared meals
As you move into this new year come to think of 2-3 women in your life who are close by and who could use a little support or who you would like to connect with. Make a meal together. Sit. Share. Share the highs and lows of your present life. And see what kind of magic unfolds from here. -
Seek out online offerings
Virtual meet ups, circles, such as our monthly Moon gathering, trainings, mentoring, online counselling and more. There is a myriad of offerings out there that allows for us to connect with one another to feel less alone. -
Call in a tool of affirmations
Affirmations are an effective mental tool that can work as an anchor to become internally strong, to keep going, to maintain our direction. Stay tuned, we might have something coming for you ;) -
Make Kindness a Habit
Begin each day with a simple goal: to perform one act of kindness. It could be as small as sending a thoughtful message or holding the door for someone. -
Get Involved Locally
Join a community group, support local businesses, or volunteer your time for a cause you’re passionate about. Your actions will inspire others to do the same.
If any of this resonates, come and join hands with us in our quest for kindness, and to be with community. Because all I really want is to be alive with you, and free with you and belong. I hope this new year doesn’t only find you well, but all the things that being human asks of us. I hope this next chapter reminds you that your being alive in all its magnificent and complicated textures is more than enough for love.
May 2025 nurture and hold you in all the ways that make you feel safe and cherished and loved.
With love,
Christina and team
Comment
What a beautiful letter! Knowing that there are people with the same feelings, wishes and thoughts is wonderful and encouraging. People like you, who show that business can be combined with kindness, are the greatest inspiration for me and give me hope that we all can achieve so much more. A future where kindness and the economy are two terms that make sense when put together.
A future where we have evolved beyond the “growth economy” to a “kindness economy” whereby instead of prioritising profit, we first consider people and the planet. Until then, I will live my kindness in everyday life and hope to be able to put a smile on people’s faces every now and then. I wish you, your family and your team lots of love an success for 2025!