Ah, holidays! A time for joy, laughter, and ... potato peeling? Yes, you read that right. In our family, the Christmas holiday isn't complete without the legendary Potato Peel-Off, a tradition upheld by me, and my brothers Jeff and Greg for years, until my nephew Chase was added to the mix. And most recently, one that has now blossomed into a full-fledged family affair.

As the final pages of the current year turn, the allure of a fresh start beckons. The New Year stands before us, not just as a time marker, but as a beacon of new beginnings and opportunities. It’s the perfect moment to determine what’s important, create goals, and chart a course toward a year of triumphs and joy.

Grief extends its reach beyond death. It touches the corners of our lives where dreams lay dormant, where paths were not taken, and where the life we envisioned remains but a whisper. This form of grief is subtle, often unacknowledged, yet it weighs heavily on the soul. It's the pang of regret for the career not pursued, the book not written, or the love not confessed. It's mourning for a version of life that exists only in the world of “what if.”

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.

The holidays are not just about grand gestures and lavish celebrations. They are about the warmth of a shared laugh, the glow of a candle, the comforting aroma of a home-cooked meal. It's in these simple pleasures that the magic of the season truly resides.

There's a certain magic in the way life unfolds its surprises, knitting together the most memorable stories of our lives. This Thanksgiving brought with it a tale that I will cherish. It was a day marked not just by gratitude but by a delightful surprise that would once again reshape our family landscape.

Thanksgiving ushers in a season of warmth, gratitude, and appreciation. It's a time to gather around tables filled with festive fare, sharing stories and laughter with loved ones. Yet, it's important to remember that not everyone shares the same cheerful experiences during these times. For some, this season may bring up feelings of loneliness, grief, or sadness.

Two years ago, a seed of a dream was planted. It was more than just an idea; it was a calling, a whisper of potential that echoed in my heart. This seed, was the beginning of Imperfectly Charming, a podcast that would eventually become a sanctuary for women seeking heart-centered guidance and transformative storytelling. But the journey to this point was not without its trials.

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 so saturated with love and imagination that they seem destined to be unforgettable. In the gentle embrace of each evening, as the sun said its golden goodbyes, my children and I would gather for what I believed were such moments.

It’s already that time of year again, and as the holiday season draws near, filling the air twinkling lights and timeless carols, our thoughts often turn to the art of giving. Along with the hustle and bustle of shopping sprees, meal planning, and social events, it's easy to forget that the most profound gift you can offer to the world begins with yourself.

Life is a lot like making a cup of coffee, full of unexpected spills, surprises, and moments that don't turn out quite as we planned. Recently, I embarked on a coffee making adventure that not only left my kitchen in chaos but also taught me valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the beauty of embracing life's unexpected twists.

Once upon a weekend, a group of women gathered for a transformative retreat. Each was asked to bring a gem of wisdom, a "knowing" within their hearts to offer one another. And so, I chose to share an often overlooked but deeply vital treasure: the importance of making time to play, a concept we, as adults, often neglect like an unread book gathering dust on a shelf.

As the poet Mary Oliver wrote, "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Together, in these sacred spaces, we had found an answer: To explore, to connect, to transform, and above all, to love, beginning with ourselves.

It is finally happening. The universe, in its divine wisdom, has cleared a path for us. We are coming together again, for another pilgrimage of the spirit. The location may differ, but the soul of the journey, the promise of further transformation, remains the same.

Life's moments of overcast skies can sometimes overshadow our inner sun. We question, we doubt, and we even fear. But beneath these temporary clouds, our inner strength, our unyielding belief, continues to shimmer, reminding us that a new day, a new beginning, is always on the horizon.

Have you ever watched the movement of an hourglass as the seconds, minutes, and hours move from the top to the bottom? With unwavering tempo, time moves forward, never pausing, never waiting. And yet, so often, we find ourselves anchored in place by an invisible yet overpowering force, fear.

"It's not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It's necessary,” - Mandy Hale. I invite you on a heartfelt journey with me, as I share a personal tale of rediscovering self-love. In this week’s blog post, I unfold the transformative process of recognizing when it's time to prioritize your well-being over a friendship.