Growing up, along with my bothers, sister and a few neighboring children built snow forts, had epic snowball fights, rode snowmobiles and were pulled behind them lined up on a toboggan and metal saucer. Those were the days. Playing carefree, full of imagination and curiosity.

We followed the road as it became steeper and steeper, trudging through the snow stopping only to catch our breath. It was quiet and peaceful with only birds spotted occasionally chirping and sitting among the empty branches. We passed one couple and asked them if the hike was worth it and they assured us it was. Onward to the top.

At the beginning of a new year many people make goals and set intentions for the following 12 months, and until recently I hadn’t really thought about the difference between them. Goals are something to work towards. You see something in the future and you make a goal to work towards having it. It also implies you don’t have what you want yet which implies distance. Setting intentions is as if you already have something, and being receptive to allowing it to come.

I’m choosing my life story of 2020 to reflect my second perspective; one of purpose and growth. Moving forward and not looking back. Fighting the dark forces that try to pull me down. I’m standing up for the kindness, and light people are sharing, that’s part of a bigger love story. A love story that weaves into every corner of the world. You are a beautiful soul with a beautiful story.

The good news is we now have the advantage of experience and time. We’re learning how to navigate and adjust to a new normal.

The question to myself, you and the world at large is, “Are you ready for today?” If today is really all that matters, how do you want to show up? How do you want to show up for yourself and how do you want to show up for others if today was all you had? What a powerful thought.

Since the celebration needed to be virtual I decided to host a friendship celebration pajama party. I thought it would be a fun way to gather and be comfortable wearing pajamas. No makeup or fancy cloths, just a bunch of girls having fun.

Some of my favorite things about my Dad included his humor, friendly manner and fist pounding laugh he was known for. He was also known for always seeing the positive side of life and whenever anyone asked him how he was doing his response was always, “Damn near perfect.”

It’s the judge within our being that beats us up and fills our head with negative thoughts, and bullies us into self-sabotaging our decisions and choices. She’s also a pro at making us feel inferior to others. A confident and smart women can go from ten to zero in an instant if you let the inner mean girl win.

What’s one action you can take before the end of the year that gets you closer to a dream? It can be a big ol’ leap or just a wee baby step. Just something to cause a spark; a spark you’ve been rolling around in that noggin of yours and are afraid to light. Now is the time! Be brave, be bold and say, “Yes” to you! Yes to your life!

2020 has definitely been the year to pivot. Just when we think one thing is on the road to recovery, another challenge takes its place, which felt like it happened again and again. Even though the events of this year have caused plenty of anxiety, frustration, depression, uncertainty and fear, it has also created moments of grace, beauty and miracles. In this season of thanksgiving, I wanted to dedicate this post to my family and asked them to highlight some of the ways their lives were blessed throughout the year.

Did you know that the Universe is always working on our behalf? It’s true! We often think we are alone on the journey doing all the heavy work, but the Universe is placing moments, people, opportunities or events in our path that changes the direction of the journey. These meaningful coincidences strung together are referred to as synchronicity.

This week marks another year in the USA we celebrate Veterans Day on November 11. It’s a time we pay our respects and honor the sacrifices of the men and women that served or currently serve during both wartime and peacetime. I’m honored to know several veterans and this week’s post is dedicated to them, all that serve(d); especially my Dad.

The definition in the dictionary of encouragement is the action of giving someone support, confidence or hope. Right now seems like the perfect time for giving or receiving encouragement.

My first born, Andrew Charles, celebrated his 30th birthday this week. It’s hard to fathom how quickly those years have flown; even though it feels like yesterday when our eyes connected for the first time.

In the first exercise we were asked to rest the critical part of our mind as well as block any sadness in childhood and look into the face of the child and see the beautiful, resilient and unchanging essence of our wise self. If we were unable to visualize a happy memory, we were to create a new positive visualization. The purpose of the exercise was in remembering who we are and to fall in love with ourselves again.

Recently, I stumbled across the following quote (unknown author), “Don't give up on your dreams. If you fall, get back up and keep trying until you succeed.” It was the perfect quote to this week’s post and a great reminder if you’re feeling defeated.

Last week, one morning at 4:00 AM, I woke to the dreaded sound of a low battery on a smoke detector. This may not seem like a huge deal to most, but to me was a big inconvenience as three of my four smoke detectors were located nine to ten feet along the angled walls and ceilings that are hard-wired to my house. To make matters extra special, the chirping only repeats for so long before a piercing alarm sounds, that remains constant until the battery has been replaced. You can imagine my mood………frantic!