Ah, the holidays, a season of bright lights, cheery sounds, and a sense of togetherness that warms even the coldest nights. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending our local park district’s annual holiday tree lighting event with my daughter and two-year-old granddaughter. It was a magical evening filled with community, connection, and joy.

The holiday season has a magical way of bringing people together, filling our hearts with warmth and joy. This year, I had the privilege of starting the season in the most beautiful way, attending the Carthage Christmas Festival with friends new and old. It was an evening that perfectly blended tradition, music, and community, leaving us all inspired and deeply connected to the holiday spirit.

Over a year ago, my good friend Marilyn began encouraging me to attend events with a women’s group she was passionate about. Time after time, life seemed to get in the way: scheduling conflicts, prior commitments, you name it. But Marilyn didn’t give up. She kept extending the invitation, confident it would be the perfect fit for me.

On a recent visit to my girlfriend, we stumbled across something truly remarkable in Cottleville, MO; a tiny, unassuming shed with a profound message: "Take what you need, give what you can." It was called a Sharing Shed, and it warmed my heart to see such a simple yet impactful way of helping a community thrive.

Friendships are one of life’s greatest treasures, but when one of your best friends moves away, it can feel like a piece of your heart has gone with them. Three years ago, one of my dearest friends Beth, moved away, and although we’ve kept in touch weekly, nothing compares to those precious moments of being face-to-face. Recently, I had the chance to visit her, and it was a reminder of the importance of nurturing long-distance friendships.

As summer winds down and the crisp air of autumn begins to settle in, we find ourselves in the last three months of the year. Here in the Midwest, the weather is turning colder, the leaves are changing into vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow, and eventually, they fall to the ground in preparation for a new season of growth. Fall is a beautiful time of transition, not just for nature but for ourselves as well. It’s a time to reflect, prepare, and make the most of the season before the year comes to a close.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve officially wrapped up the first season of The Imperfectly Charming Podcast! Fifty episodes, fifty weeks of heart-to-heart conversations, life lessons, and interviews with extraordinary women who have inspired not just me, but so many of you. Season 1 has been an incredible journey of growth, discovery, and connection, and I’m beyond grateful to each of you for tuning in.

When I think of the words "community garden," I typically envision a piece of land divided into sections where individuals work, plant, weed, water, and tend to their own plots. However, recently, I discovered a different kind of community garden, one that goes beyond vegetables and fruits, a place where flowers bloom not just for those who plant them, but for the entire community to enjoy and share.

Asking for help has never come easy to me. It's a trait, unfortunately, that I seem to have passed on to my son, Andrew. Like me, he struggles to reach out when he could use an extra hand. Some of my hesitation to ask for help stems from early experiences where I was shut down after asking. Those "no’s" built a wall of self-reliance around me, making it difficult to let others in.

For several years, I've been on a path of transformation and wellness. This year, my focus has shifted to a crucial aspect of my well-being: hormonal health. Understanding and balancing our hormones can be a game-changer, yet it's often overlooked in mainstream healthcare.

Life is about the relationships we build and the love we share. Don’t wait for tomorrow to spend time with your loved ones. Take action today.

If you know me well, you might suspect, or even know, that I don’t really like surprises, especially those that put me at the center of attention. Birthdays, in particular, have never been my favorite focus. However, my children recently threw me a surprise birthday party that completely knocked my socks off.

During the session I led the group through a powerful visualization exercise, and encouraged each participant to step into the shoes of the clients, feeling their struggles, aspirations, and experiences. This exercise wasn't just about understanding their needs but about connecting with their humanity on a deeper level. As Henry David Thoreau eloquently put it, “Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?”

In our fast-paced world, the concept of community might seem like a quaint relic of the past. However, my personal experiences over the last few years have profoundly shown me that being in a community, even virtually, is more relevant and beneficial than ever. Whether it’s working out with a friend or joining a meditation group, the act of coming together, even remotely, offers a multitude of benefits that enrich our lives in various ways.

Although I’m a life coach, I’m also a woman reimagining her own life. My transformational path has been less about reaching a destination and more about understanding the journey itself. It’s an expedition paved not with certainties, but with the rich soil of self-discovery, where seeds of wisdom are sown by both teacher and student.

There are moments in life when we stumble upon something truly extraordinary that resonates with our soul and leaves an indelible mark on our heart. For me, one such moment was an unforgettable evening at Westminster Abbey, where I had the privilege of attending the Evensong choral service sung by the beautiful Westminster Abbey Choir.

My friend Beth and I recently spent some time in Paris. Making the most of our stay, we booked a tour each day and on the second day, we scheduled an adventure, booking a four-hour night bicycle tour of Paris. Little did we know that our journey would be filled with unexpected twists, heart-stopping moments, and unforgettable memories. A friend had recommended the tour and couldn’t say enough good things about her experience.

Picture two women strolling along the charming streets of Paris, enjoying the beautiful landscape and realizing they are unable to get to their destination. Both of their phones aren’t connecting to the navigation tool, and they need to figure out a plan, fast.