September was filled with some truly special moments, from the Tres Emes Cleanup to being part of the Mexico Surf Open, and maybe one of my favorite highlights: a friend who has been coming to the cleanups asked if she could borrow our supplies to organize a cleanup on the islands surrounding Baja! This kind of ripple effect is exactly what we hope for, a sense of ownership, of taking action beyond the events we host, and making it personal.
A personal high was having Max and Elena here. While they didn’t get to experience a cleanup firsthand, they did get a little taste of what makes Ensenada so special. In their short time here, I think they got to see how deeply connected everything is—the people, the community, the tacos!
To wrap up summer and celebrate the last seven months, the Giving Gifts team—Karen, Juliett, Mariana, Natalia, and I—had a sweet, simple dinner together. Sitting around the table with these women, it really hit me: connection is the thread that runs through everything we’re doing. Every cleanup, every shared meal, every conversation holds this incredible gift of connection. Different people, with different stories and backgrounds, all coming together. We ended the night with a little activity where we were able to share what we have seen or learned from one another in the past seven months and gosh, all I can say is I am truly just so thankful to be a witness and participant in what is happening and will continue to happen in these relationships and in this community.
Onto October
Ahh, I am so excited for October’s theme because it’s something I feel like I’m constantly navigating. This month, we’re diving into Transformation. Just like the ocean pulls away the old to make room for the new, we’re invited to do the same in our own lives. It’s about recognizing what may no longer need space—whether it’s habits, belief systems, relationships, or even physical clutter—and finding the courage to let them go so we can welcome something new.
I’ve always been sensitive to the phrase “letting go,” because while it’s thrown around so often, I think we sometimes forget the compassion and care that process really requires. Letting go isn’t about discarding the things we don’t like. It’s deeper than that. It’s about acknowledging that transformation can be messy, uncomfortable, and even painful. It invites us to sit with what we’re releasing, to honor its place in our lives, and to understand that it was once a part of us. Sometimes, it’s not just about walking away from something, it’s about recognizing that what we’re letting go of might have served an important purpose at one time, and now we’re simply making room for something different.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how Jesus invited transformation—with such compassion and care. Never rushing people through their process but instead met them exactly where they were, offering healing and renewal in the gentlest way. One of my favorite examples is in Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus wasn’t just telling people to let go of their burdens; He was inviting them into a space of transformation through love, rest, and understanding.
Transformation asks us to see beyond the discomfort and trust that the space we create will invite growth, healing, and something new—even if we can’t see it yet. This isn’t a fast or easy process, but it’s a meaningful one. And, it’s something I’m grateful we get to explore together this month.
The cleanup + The activity
Although I really wish you could experience a cleanup with us, I recognize that many of you are miles away. I still want to invite you into this month’s reflection and activity in a way that fits for you. The labyrinth we’re making on the beach represents transformation—it’s a space to slow down, reflect, and think about what you’re ready to let go of. You don’t have to be at the beach to experience this.
I’ll be sharing the reflection and a coloring sheet with you, and I encourage you to take a moment in your own space—whether it’s while sitting in your favorite chair, out for a walk, just before bed, at a labyrinth near you, or even making your own—to reflect on what transformation means to you. What are you ready to release? What new things do you want to make space for?
At the heart of all of this is connection. Whether we’re on the beach together or miles apart, we’re all part of this world at the same time. A huge part of creating and sharing the reflection and activities is knowing and trusting that we can practice connection wherever we are, with people we know and don’t know. And that’s something pretty special.
Ps these are provided in Spanish and English!! I’d encourage you to read it in both, even if you don’t know Spanish, it’s a fun way to practice a little and it’s such a beautiful (and difficult) language!!!!