 I'm HOME living in the first house I purchased with my then-husband many years ago. I'll always remember the day we found it – feeling the excitement of a dream as I climbed the steps to peek through the window of the front door, seeing the bright brick fireplace for the first time, the gentle mist of sea air surrounding me, and the feeling that this was home.
Even though it feels like a lifetime ago, the feeling remains the same. A deep inner joy and satisfaction in turning a house into a home with things I love that nurture and support me. Home is a symbol of the love that continually protects and surrounds us, nurtures us and allows us to be. What excites me the most is bringing my space alive to reflect the woman I am today. I am inspired to honor all the parts of her, all the places she's lived and explored, the people she has met, who she was, and who she is becoming. If you read my last email, I talked about the way we emerge from one stage in life to the next. I am in a new phase in my becoming, and re-creating the space around me is an affirmation of what matters most to me, what I have brought with me, creating space for what I'm inviting in more of, and remembering that the home of my dreams dwells within. A big part of this process is getting rid of most of my belongings. Over the years, our needs change, and the desire to simplify is palpable. As I watched the men dismantle the daybed and drive off with it, I was surprised by a bit of nostalgia. I've thought a lot about things and their place in our lives. After all, they are only things. I thought about how and why I would have an attachment to the furniture I bought so many years ago. The truth is that the daybed held sunlit afternoons close as a respite from the world, a sense of untouchable tranquility. It held visits from far-away friends. The trundle was perfect for my precious young nieces and nephews, reading, storytelling, trampoline and somersaults. And the feeling I got seeing the daybed elegantly placed in our guest room. It's not the item or piece of furniture; it's how it made me feel and the memories I will keep of beloved guests in my home that will remain with me forever. The furniture is gone, but the memories will live on. What's next to let go of? I think it will be the glass-top dining table with carved pedestal legs and upholstered side chairs. When I chose it, I thought it was the most beautiful, elegant dining set I'd ever seen. Will I wax nostalgic? You betcha! Memories of all the celebrated birthdays, candle-lit anniversaries, dinner parties, Thanksgiving dinners, my father's book signing, wine tastings and everyday enjoyment. I am once again reminded of the preciousness of life in each moment through the lens of time. As I clip pictures, explore ideas and become obsessed with Pinterest, I am reminded of limitless possibilities in creating a new vision filled with purpose, possibility and loving protection. A house is built of wood and beams. My heart is full as I make a home of love and dreams! Is there a place in your home that reflects you – your present visions and dreams? If you don’t have a particular place, I hope this message inspires you to create one and that it supports you in remembering that the home of your dreams dwells within...  "We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." ~ Maya Angelou
As spring casts her lustrous spell, I feel a sense of freshness, newness and sweetness in my days. After a long, dark, wetter-than-usual winter, I feel truly blessed to wake up to sunshine through the window most mornings and the return of butterflies and the serenade of the sparrows, finches and doves and my favorite hooting owl. While we find ourselves living in a time of deep shifts and enormous change, I am realizing more than ever the importance of resilience in our lives... Resilience is the ability to bounce back after change, hardship and loss. It is what gets us through the dark times and most painful moments. It is the mojo deep within that says, "every little thing is going to be alright." I'm contemplating all the ways we try to find a shortcut to happiness and cancel out the idea we have to "be happy, be this, have that." When in truth, that never has been the goal. Like the butterfly, we, too, are transforming. Transformation is never easy. It means leaving behind one growth stage to arrive at the next, which requires resilience and something we aren't necessarily born with. It is a strength we can build just like our muscles, and like most everything in life, it has to be practiced to be learned. I am learning there are types of resilience – physical, mental, emotional and social – and the more we practice them, the better life will feel and the freer we will become. Physical resilience The way the body deals with change and recovers from injury and illness is vital to our health and well-being, and it is something we can improve daily through all the ways we nourish and move our bodies with mindfulness. Mental resilience Mental resilience pertains to how we adapt to change and uncertainty. It begins in the brain, and we control the thoughts we feed it. With a solid mindset, we can remain flexible and move forward positively. Emotional resilience Emotional resilience is being able to regulate emotions during times of stress. The practice of tuning into your inner life, honoring your feelings and trusting that you have the capacity to deal with any challenge one step at a time. Social resilience Social resilience is being part of the community for support, friendship and connection. The value of a support system is limitless, whether it means coming together after a natural disaster or being surrounded by fellowship after the death of a loved one. Our friends, family and community are the fabric that supports us in times of crisis. How can we live with more resilience in our lives DAILY? • BELIEVE in yourself, your importance & your abilities • PRACTICE self-awareness & observe how you feel • Pay ATTENTION to how you behave - Are you responding or reacting? • Hold onto a sense of OPTIMISM - Reframe negative thoughts • Take RESPONSIBILITY for your feelings, actions & choices • Make time to CELEBRATE the positive • LET GO of grudges - Forgive yourself and others Resilience is a precious skill that helps us find meaning in life's challenges. When we are resilient, we are able to look at negative situations realistically and in a way that does not insist on blame or focus on what could have been. "She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails." ~ Elizabeth Edwards As we adjust our sails, remember that "every little thing is gonna be alright."  Finally, spring has arrived amidst fresh rain showing us a new path into more ease, trust and surrender. The time to blossom is now, not sometime in the future, not when the stars are aligned just right.
I hope you will begin to see the picture of where you are and where you want to be as an open the door to your infinite possibility. What is it your heart desires for you? As with spring comes new beginnings, new growth, abundance and beauty- it is time to nurture your essence so you can do what you came here to do – live the fullest, truest expression of you. This beauty is not something you can reach for. It’s something you can open up inside of you. It is the gifts you are born with, ready to bloom and spring forth. Reflecting on the past 5 years, I see the shifts, direction changes and challenges. Even though I felt frozen in time, I was moving forward to where I am today. We have a habit of setting certain conditions for the way we think life should be – all the if’s and when’s that must be fulfilled before we can say yes to the gift of our lives. When we hold back, we risk never fully blooming into the life that is meant for us. Now is the time for each of us to bloom where we are planted. It is in the present moment which we open. Now is the time to unfold delicately yet fully into the space we find ourselves. Now is the time to believe in yourself, be brave and commit fully. These are the seeds I’m planting in my garden this season (along with their meaning):
Always remember, your secret garden is within you. Fill it with all that you love! What are the seeds your heart is longing to plant?  Aries season is here to turn your dreams into reality. Dossé-Via says, "It is the season of new beginnings and starting fresh with the hopeful enthusiasm of a child."
I have always loved the idea that each day we begin again. No matter what happened yesterday, I can put it behind me and know I can start fresh today. We've just entered the Aries season, bringing us a new start and a fresh cycle. The Aries ram is courageous, bold and fiery and comes from a place of strength. Please take this opportunity to dial in your inner strength and the courage it takes to turn your vision into reality. This year Aries season will be filled with change, surprises and interesting twists, according to Narayana Montufar, astrologer for astrology.com. She tells us, "This is a very special moment in time, and whatever we begin now will be impregnated with this strong energy." She mentions that the projects we start and the seeds we plant now will most likely be successful. Sounds good to me! The exact moment the sun enters Aries marks the beginning of the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere. It is a potent time to take the seeds of your dreams and plant them carefully and with intention. The changing seasons are a reminder to us that we, too, are constantly in a cycle of sowing, reaping and letting go. It's a time to care for the seeds you are sowing. Your true nature is ready for a reset after a long winter. Here are some suggestions for preparing for the new season:
What are some other ways you can reset and prepare for the season?  Happy new moon in Pisces!!!
The new moon appears in Pisces, the water sign, which is the most spiritual sign of the zodiac. If you're feeling extra sensitive, this is the perfect time to find your flow, pay attention to your emotions, and tap into your creative side as we shift from Aquarius into the waters of Pisces. Just as the earth's surface is 71% water and 97% make up the oceans, we are made up of 65% water. The moon waxing and waning also govern us. The moon and the element of water represent your dreamy side. Imagine and envision your dreams, and open yourself to your inner world, where anything is possible. Is there something you've been contemplating? Emotions often get buried, yet, they are a tool that carries information about what we need and what best takes care of us. It is through the emotions that we find healing when we allow ourselves to move through them, then let them go. Reflect on your ideas and feelings – there is information in our feelings, and when we listen to them, we often find the answers we seek are already within. Is there something that needs more or less of your focus? Although the path may not look how we thought it would, Pisces encourages us to trust in the process and surrender to the flow of life. I invite you to please hold the vision for your intentions and trust it is yours in divine timing. Take some time to reset your weekly schedule, placing your soul care at the top!
The abundant rains and thunder clouds brought a glorious rainbow last evening – an affirmation that nature is perfect and you and I are part of it! Make special time for yourself, take in a sunset, or a sunrise, be still, and breathe into the moment one breath at a time. |
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