Sunday Candy Issue #13

Compliments, Art in Public, The Native Boom, Dulces Para Los Oídos

Welcome to Sunday Candy! This is a biweekly newsletter sprinkled with whatever I feel like sharing with you.

If you’re a new friend, you can catch up with my previous issues here.

Checking out the newsletter for the first time? Hit the subscribe button.

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📓Compliment Journal

Hey you. I have a question.

You know when you get a thoughtful compliment and it makes your whole day? Or even just makes you feel good for just a moment?

I love that. How about you?

The problem is you probably forget about all those kind thoughtful things people tell you.

Like that sweet comment from a total stranger, or even those encouraging words your best friend text you.

That’s why I’m keeping a compliment journal. Maybe you should too.

Some people do this digitally, but I prefer and recommend a physical journal. I’m so “out of sight, out of mind” that I’d completely forget it exists otherwise.

Plus, it’s a neat artifact to have. But you do you, friend.

How it works: Anytime someone gives you a compliment or says anything meaningful to you that makes you feel good, capture that. Put it in your journal, or whatever digital archive you choose.

Since mine is physical, I’ll take screenshots of things like texts and print them out, or write down what was verbally said to me. I even include the encouraging words you leave me here in the comments or in my email.

Give it a shot.

What I love about this is how it forces me to slow down to fully receive compliments and practice gratitude.

It’s also a great way to inject positivity and an antidote for negative self-talk.

And we both know how you’re sometimes not very kind to yourself, friend.

If you have a tendency to brush off compliments, this is a good way to practice receiving them, prime yourself to keep your ears (and eyes) open for them, and expand yourself just a little more.

Let me know if you’re considering trying it out, or if you already do something similar!

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👀Art In Public

I’m always fascinated, inspired, and impressed by the people who usually keep to themselves, don’t like attention, aren’t the loudest in the room, and yet, unexpectedly and courageously choose to take up space.

Here’s a passage from David Byrne’s How Music Works, where he explains why he started performing songs in a café when he was younger, despite his introverted nature.

I love his take on how doing his art in public was his way to “speak in another language” and an “entry into conversation.”

It’s much like how I feel about doing this newsletter. It isn’t art, but it offers a similar benefit.

Can you relate? Is there something you do “in public” that provides you with something similar or different?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t normally put yourself out there, but you’ve been trying to.

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🎥 The Native Boom

Recently, there’s been a small boom of Native talent both in front of the cameras and working behind the scenes on some awesome film and TV projects.

And I’m alllll here for it.

Here’s two you probably already have heard of, but have you checked them out?

Prey is Hulu’s #1 premiere to date.

It’s also the first film to ever offer a complete Comanche language dub. So it’s not only revitalized the Predator franchise with a fresh take, it’s making history.

It’s centered on a Comanche warrior, Naru, who fights to protect her people when an alien predator arrives.

It’s been praised for its care and attention to Indigenous representation. It’s got a phenomenal cast, including a badass leading woman, Amber Midthunder, and your new favorite shelter dog turned movie star. It rules.

Reservation Dogs, the critically-acclaimed comedy-drama show has been in its second season. Have you seen it?

It’s stacked with Indigenous writers, crew, and cast. What I love is how it gives us a taste for the insanely funny Native sense of humor even when it’s exploring tragedy and drama.

It’s about four Indigenous teens living on a reservation in Oklahoma, trying to figure out what to do with their lives with the resources they have.

It’ll make you laugh out loud, and probably have a good cry too.

If you’re late to the party on either of these, consider checking them out.

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🎶 I Made You A Playlist 🎶

You’ve heard of how listening to music in another language, especially Spanish, increases your IQ score by like, approximately 10.5 points, right? And how it makes you way waaaay more attractive and cool?

Okay, that’s not true. At least not the first part. But still.

Enjoy :)

That’s all for issue #13 of Sunday Candy!

Thanks for reading, friend.

Until next time,

Sandra

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