Yay me! What an accomplishment. And, what a year it’s been!!
Shortly after publishing my Journal – Self Care Conversations On The Path, COVID changed the world as we knew it and I’ve been adapting to a new way of living ever since. Adapting has come with many obstacles as well as opportunities. Mainly the opportunity to practice self care, which is what I’ve done my best to do through all the ups and downs in the last year.
The Journal is a tool to support you in creating your best lifestyle focused on self care – offering strategies, tools, exercises and practices to overcome obstacles and develop a self care mindset.
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The Journal is for you if you are…
Taking steps towards something new – Transitioning into another part of your life – Experiencing challenges in the process – Feeling lost along the way – Desiring to connect with your authentic self – Connect with others for support – Realizing the importance of self care.
Allow me to guide, support, encourage and inspire you on your path with – 6 Personal Stories – 22 Self Care Conversations and Journal Prompts – 34 STEPS (Strategies, Tools, Exercises and Practices) to Develop A Self Care Mindset.
Self Care Conversations On The Path is available on Amazon in paperback and eBook versions.
I appreciate your support and look forward to staying connected.
An adventure to Hawaii and a dream realized! I had a great experience on Oahu with a friend enjoying the beaches, hiking and celebrating my birthday. I am thankful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get back to Oahu and explore more of the island. And the other Hawaiian islands as well. Nature is truly inspiring!
A day in Salt Lake City, Utah filled with fun, adventure and movement. I ended up walking about ten miles – making my way from the downtown area, past the State Capital and eventually hiking the steep hill to Ensign Peak. I had a goal in mind and persevered until reaching it. At the top was a beautiful 360 degree view that was well worth it!
As I reflect on 2020, the following three words come to mind: change, uncertainly and opportunity. The completely unexpected changes that started at the beginning of March lead to a lot of uncertainly and unforeseeable opportunities.
Changes to where I live, where I actively work and my day-to-day lifestyle. Changes that have caused a roller coaster of emotions, stress and uncertainty. Changes that have lead to much reflection and pushed me to practice self-care in new ways. Changes that have also lead to many chances for learning and growing personally and professionally. Changes that ultimately offered new beginnings and opportunities to achieve goals for which I am very thankful for!
Looking through my camera roll I found many beautiful pictures of adventurous hikes, time with friends and some travel and beach time. All of which I am incredibly grateful for and were necessary for my overall well-being. The time spent in nature, hiking on the path and walking on the beach reinforced what I’ve experienced so many times in my life – movement is a key practice to reaching goals and dreams.
Allow me to support, encourage and inspire you with my Journal – Self Care Conversations On The Path.
The eBook version is FREE through January 1, 2021 – My Gift to You for the New Year!
The Journal includes 6 Personal Stories, 22 Self Care Conversations and Journal Prompts and 34 STEPS (Strategies, Tools, Exercises and Practices) to Develop A Self Care Mindset.
All designed to establish a discussion with oneself, and others to foster greater wellness, support and inspiration to creating your best lifestyle focused on self care.
A Wonderful Way To Start The New Year!
The Journal is for you if you are…
Taking steps towards something new – Transitioning into another part of your life – Experiencing challenges in the process – Feeling lost along the way – Desiring to connect with your authentic self – Connect with others for support – Realizing the importance of self care.
Happy New Year and all the best as you set out on a new path.
Over the past few years I’ve had some wonderful opportunities to travel – a dream realized for me. Thank you Southwest Airlines for the great adventures and the best window seats. Traveling is so adventurous and inspirational – I can’t wait for what’s next!
Follow my Cancun experience, from my great window seat, to arriving at the beach. And, of course, enjoying my time basically sitting on a lounge chair – occasionally reading, napping, walking on the beach and drinking vacation type drinks!
In a year filled with unforeseen life changes, it feels comforting to have one tradition that remains the same. Below is a story I originally wrote about in 2016 after downsizing a home of many years. I have since updated and added a picture of the original tree, with the star on top, which I was very happy to recently find. And, if you read to the end and you’re wondering, the two small trees are still up and decorated all year long. 🙂
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The story of the two Christmas trees began when my son was about three. He asked if we could leave the tree up until his Birthday at the end of February so the kids coming to the party could put his Birthday presents underneath the tree. I loved our artificial tree and all our ornaments, so I said yes. I mean, what a great idea, and why not?!
Little did I know at the time, this would become our tradition for many years. We would put our tree up just before Thanksgiving and take it down at the end of February after his Birthday party. The kids attending the party loved putting the presents underneath the tree; however, their parents thought it was a bit strange that we still had our Christmas tree up and decorated.
Over the years, we received many funny looks from visitors entering our home and seeing the Christmas tree up and fully decorated in our front window. This especially happened as we found ourselves naturally moving into keeping the tree up all year long. We knew it was very unusual, but it was our tradition, and we were happy with it.
As my son grew up, no longer having Birthday parties where kids brought presents, it was never a consideration to take the tree down. It had become a very normal part of our home that we loved. In addition, our tradition of keeping the tree up all year long, took some stress out of the holiday season. Because, as anyone who has put up and taken down a tree knows, it can be very time consuming!
The tree was filled with so many memories – family ornaments that had been passed down from earlier generations, handmade kid’s ornaments, and newer ones that were occasionally added. It wasn’t until we prepared to move and stage our home to sell that we took the tree down. The event was surprisingly anti-climatic. I did find it nice that my son, who had asked to keep the tree up for his Birthday many years before, was there to help.
I now believe the tree, and all the ornaments, are making many people just as happy as they did for our family. Because part of selling our home was downsizing and simplifying our lives, which meant passing the tree and the majority of the ornaments onto other families. My favorite ornaments were saved and are now what decorate the two small trees pictured. These trees are now displayed in our apartment home, and of course are both up all year long, because that’s our tradition!
Enjoy the holiday season, your tree(s) and whatever unique traditions you and your family have.
I recently had the completely enjoyable opportunity to relax on a lounge chair, shaded by a grass umbrella, looking out at the Gulf of Mexico. The sky was mostly clear and there was a warm breeze creating a calm and peaceful feeling within me. In the background I could hear waves hitting the beach and a radio playing a variety of classic songs sung by South American artists. I tuned into Imagine, a favorite by John Lennon, and really heard the words – as an American in Mexico, surrounded by people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds – all enjoying the same thing in that moment.
“Imagine there’s no countries… It isn’t hard to do… Nothing to kill or die for… And no religion, too… Imagine all the people… Living life in peace… You, you may say I’m a dreamer… But I’m not the only one… I hope someday you will join us… And the world will be as one.”
