Fast forward to now … I want to take the younger me into my arms and tell her how bright her light is. That she is special and can do hard things. That it’s ok to fail and learn valuable lessons from those mistakes. I want her to know she was born to shine and to help others see their own radiance. I want to tell her that I see her and I love her.

As many of you may know, I’m always trying new things that expand my learning, better my life, create more fun, and in general bring me joy. I was recently listening to a podcast that invited the listeners to try something new to bring goodness into the day. As I continued listening, I knew I wanted to experiment for a few days and would record my findings to use in this week’s blog post. I immediately enlisted my daughter to join me.

February happens to be one of my favorite months of the year. Not because it’s winter, or the second month of the new year, but because it’s about honoring relationships, love, and Valentine’s Day. Each year I look forward to celebrating the month of love with the special people in my life. I admit, I’m good at doing for others, however, not very good at allowing others to do for me.

February 2, has a completely different meaning in many parts of the country based on the 1993 movie Groundhog Day. The main character keeps repeating the same day over and over until he learns valuable life lessons. “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” - Albert Einstein

Lately, I’d been feeling like my body was starting to let me down. Getting older shouldn’t mean doom and gloom. It should be about using what we have while making the most of it right now. Our amazing bodies support our physical being, mind, and soul.

In last week’s blog post, I asked you to avoid looking through the green-eyed glasses of jealousy and envy and instead see things differently by using the following sentence, “I want some of that.” As a follow-up to that suggestion, this week I’m asking, “What’s currently working in your life, right now?” Make a list mentally, or grab a pen and paper and start jotting them down.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes the meaning of envy as, “the feeling of wanting to have what someone else has.” Can you relate to these words? In this new year, I invite you to do and feel something radically different. It will take the pressure off comparison and will actually make you feel better, and dare I say satisfied. Read on my friends.

As 2022 is just coming into focus and 2021 is already in the rear view mirror, what do you want to call into this brand spanking new year? What do you envision for your life for the upcoming 12 months? You get to decide for the next 365 days how you use your time and what energy you call in.

Fear not, sometimes the smallest shifts can create significant changes and opportunities. Especially if you are willing to take a chance, reshape your thoughts, and keep yourself open to possibility.

The holiday season is already upon us. Which can be a time of joy, expectation and happiness for some, but can also be a time of sadness, isolation, and emotionally draining for others. Recently, I was reminded of the ancient Hawaiian spiritual practice known as, Ho’oponopono (pronounced: HO-oh-Po-no-Po-no). It translates to move back in balance.

I was able to spend 10 days in Italy with 10 amazing women. It was a continuation of a writing course we experienced together earlier in the year. When our writing journey began we started off as strangers, but through our initial awkwardness, empathy, laughter, tears, joy, vulnerability, and profound moments together, we created a lifelong bond and sisterhood.

The goal of the meditation was to visualize and manifest the future you in all areas of your life. It’s the idea that you can bring anything you want into your life, through your beliefs and thoughts, which are so powerful. Try doing this exercise on your own by going within, being quiet to listen and visualize what you want in your life. Take each area, imagine and feel into the vision.

What are the stories you keep telling yourself and others over and over? Stories you can’t get past? Stories you keep reliving year after year, keeping you stuck from moving forward?

Recently, while in Italy, I spent a day in Cortona; a charming community set in the mountains in Tuscany, approximately 2000 feet above sea level, and completely enclosed by stone walls. When entering the city, the tour guide lead us up and over stone roads, alleys and passageways. They were so steep, we had to occasionally stop to catch out breath.

The Urban Dictionary states the definition of leveling up as, “to make a move in your life or your career for the better.” The Merriam Webster Dictionary provides this statement, “After you’ve slain the dragon, new adventures await.” I’ve been on a mission to level up and slay the next dragon for the last several years.

I’ve always loved being creative and last week I had the chance to be part of an on-line art class within a membership site. When I added the event to my calendar I had no idea what the class would be creating even though I had an inkling it had to do with self-love.

How many times have you said the words, “I have to ________(fill in the blank)?” Believe me, I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve said that in my life. “I have to go grocery shopping” or “I have to go to work.” Imagine all the times you’ve said that in a day. Over the last few months, every time those words have left my mouth, I made an effort to exchange them from “I have to” to “I get to.” Doesn’t that have a lighter and happier feeling in your body?

I am a gal that loves symbolism and signs and often look for them. It could be birds, animals, repeating numbers on a clock such as 11:11 or 3:33. It could also be a word or picture on a billboard, license plate or even an image in a cloud. To me signs are a reminder loved ones are near or something is trying to get my attention.