Category: Pellere
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Connection Across Differences: Part 4
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation The question we left off with last week was “How do we create communities where differences don’t immediately divide, and where connection is intentional, not accidental?” I ask myself this question so often. Especially after watching the news, which, frankly, I avoid. I prefer to read my news rather than Read more
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Connection Across Differences: Part 2
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation Last week, we ended with an open question: “Maybe the question isn’t how we resolve every difference, but how we decide which conversations are worth staying in.” That’s an incredibly powerful point. I think a lot about the energy we give to things, to people. The older I get, the Read more
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When Conversation Connects
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation So…what does connection actually look like? Let’s say that we have decided to intentionally nurture connection. Great. Step one complete. Then, we allow ourselves to notice the opportunities where connection can exist alongside our ‘normal’ life. Fabulous. Step two complete. Then…what? What does it actually look like when two or Read more
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Red Light, Green Light, Gratitude
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation Last week, I talked about noticing. How travel, or even someone else’s travel story, can jolt us out of autopilot. And it is amazing when noticing leads to a spark which leads to movement which leads to impact. Of course, seeing clearly – sharing your spark, even – doesn’t guarantee Read more
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From Soggy Bottom to Something Better
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation If you know me, you know I have a hard time sitting still. So, of course, as soon as I felt like I had the hang of the skid loader, my fingers started itching for the next piece of equipment I’d like to learn: the digger. Or, in official terms, Read more
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Small Miracles and Happy Accidents
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation This summer hasn’t just been about things breaking down (belts, bolts, my patience…), but even more it’s been about what got built in between all the repairs. And while I’m immensely proud of my awe-inspiring dragging skills, it’s the little, surprising discoveries that make me smile the most. Take that Read more
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Everything Hurts and Nothing Works (Except Maybe My Skid Loader)
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation I said we’d be back in August. And here we are! Just… maybe not quite the way I imagined. Why does this ever surprise me anymore?? Anyway, back in July, I signed off with good intentions: to rest a little, focus on creative projects, maybe actually get a few videos Read more
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Where the Echo Still Lingers: Part Two
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation Two weeks ago, we asked a simple question: Where are your memories held? We asked for your moments, your places, your stories. Your reminders of what matters, and why it’s worth remembering. And sure enough, some started coming in. Reminiscing in Rockland shared the importance of a playground: “There’s this Read more
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Redevelopment: 3 Pitfalls Worth Rethinking
Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation If you’ve ever raised an eyebrow at the word “redevelopment,” you’re not alone. We’ve all seen the news stories where we know something just ain’t right. Fly-by-night developers. Big, flashy ideas that seem totally out of place in a community. Here in our own region, let’s be honest – the biggest Read more
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Conversations in Motion: What We Learned on a Thursday Afternoon in Emlenton
Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation It started as a simple plan: take a walk, capture some video footage, and talk about how different brains and personalities work together to build community. It turned into one of those seemingly-simple but deeply impactful afternoons that left me feeling a little lighter, a little clearer, and even more grateful Read more
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“Right, so…. Wait, what was I saying?”
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation If you know me at all, you know that sentence comes out of my mouth at least three times a day. Sometimes four. I have a short-term memory that could charitably be described as… not great. I have Alexa reminders for the notes on my phone, which point to sticky Read more