Wisdom Within - Because You Know

At the end of 2025, I had been receiving the same message from books, TV, reels, sermons, and my gut: I needed more stillness and silence in my life. So when a confidante extended an invitation to a morning of reflection event at their church in early January, I jumped at the opportunity.

That morning offered me three hours to simply reflect. There were tools provided to help process thoughts, and spaces to be alone. I reread my journal entries from the past year, used a tool to uncover themes, journaled more, and wrote two poems.

I left with a few clear realizations:

1: Even though there was a lot of pain in 2025, I was still able to let creativity flow. And that was because I made space for stillness.
Creativity and community help me stay resilient during trying times.

2: I need to practice tai chi regularly to help me slow down.

3: I need to take time monthly to press pause, reflect, and be still.

So, how’s it going, you ask?

I have continued to find pockets of stillness for creativity. Lately, dot painting has been a wonderful creative outlet. I am being intentional about community, whether it’s catching up over coffee, attending church, book club, a peaceful protest, game night at home, or jail ministry. I am surrounding myself with people who shine for me (and hopefully I shine for them as well!).

I found an old tai chi instruction sheet and have been using it to help me slow down. Some days it’s difficult to move slowly through the motions. But as I practice it, I often have a clear thought: I need this.

I’d noticed myself automatically going through yoga flows, almost rushing sometimes. This new form of slow, intentional movement feels good for me.

I’m still amped up from 2025. Health situations of five people, one leading to an untimely passing, job situations, the state of our country, and its impact on the world…it’s been a lot. You probably know the feeling because you’re living it too.

All that has taken a toll on my nervous system, and I felt like I needed to let her know she’s okay.

Prayerfully practicing tai chi has impacted me in some positive ways (when I am consistent with its practice):

*spirit – I am more grounded in faith *body – my nervous system is more regulated *mind – the racing has quieted a little *relationships – I’ve been able to practice more kindness, especially to those with me day in and day out who get the brunt of my crankiness *resources – I operate a bit less from a place of scarcity

And now we’ve come to my third realization: I need to take time monthly to press pause, reflect, and be still.

Well, I haven’t done that yet.

That’s where you come in!

It’s often easier for us humans to follow through when someone else is holding space for it. So I wonder if you would be interested in committing to a set amount of time each month to pause and reflect?

It doesn’t have to be together in the same physical space. Just knowing there are others also being intentional at the same time is supportive.

I’d be happy to host a couple of people at my home. That way, you’d be away from temptations to clean the house or put in a load of laundry. Near or far, I could share a couple of tools to support your quiet time.

I’m going to press pause, be still, and reflect on Saturday, April 18, from 9 am – 12 noon. You don’t have to commit to the full time; do what feels right to you.

What do you think about this? Are you interested?

Email, text, or private message to let me know if you’ll be joining me, either in person or in spirit.

To be clear, I am no longer running my coaching business; there is no cost. This is simply something I am doing for others who find themselves wanting to press pause but struggling to follow through.

I’ve been sick. Sinus infection. Brain fog. So I’m sharing this writing I started a while back, in the pre-brain-fog era. Ha! It’s been three weeks without a creative outlet, and I’m tired of it. So here you go…

I’m trying something new. Instead of working to polish my writing here until it sounds like my best “friendly teacher voice,” I’m going to write more stream-of-consciously.

It’s already working because auto spell/grammar check does not like that phrase at all! But you get what I’m saying, right?

Anyhow, this idea came to me as I was reflecting on my last visit with my Spiritual Coach. I was blathering on and on about how much I want to do…dot paint, write sharing my reflections on life, write poetry, read all the books; but my capacity to do all I want to simply isn’t there. I’m out of the house 30 hours a week for my job, have a mom and mother-in-law navigating lots of late-life issues requiring support, spend time daily moving my body and making healthy(ish) food, and enjoy maintaining relationships. Plus, all the fun stuff like cleaning and laundry.

I’m finding it challenging to do all I want to without it feeling like another thing I’m squeezing into my schedule.

That’s when my Spiritual Coach started talking about gardens and seeds. I’ve been provided with so many creative outlets that I enjoy. For the next few months, I’m going to observe each creative expression as a seed. I’ll observe where I’m flinging those seeds, how they land, and whether they grow. I’ll be listening for my gut to yell a “hell, yes!” and embrace that creative outlet, or a “hell, no!” and release it.

I’m hoping by summer, when I get a break from work, to have a clear sense of the seeds I need to tend to more carefully.

Keep finding time for stillness, to simply be and rest, in your days.

I’m so grateful for all of you and what you bring to my life.

Holy disruption.

This has been a topic on my mind often lately, even when I don’t necessarily call it that. I’ve talked about it with my spiritual coach, journaled about it, and read about it. Perhaps it’s because everything feels rather tumultuous right now, and sometimes the default is to react. Holy disruption is a response.

What is holy disruption? For me, holy disruption is about challenging and changing a conviction or behavior that is generally accepted, even though it misses the point of what it is intended to do or be. It is very intentional and always comes from a place of love. Holy disruption requires pausing, taking time to be still and reflect on what is really happening, and discerning how to confront injustice with love, care, and courage.

Holy disruption is not chaotic, impulsive, or reactive. It is not disruption for the sake of disruption.

When I practiced holy disruption in the past, it looked like forgiving someone who others felt didn’t “deserve” it, offering hope to a woman in jail, or bringing light by having a conversation with an unhoused person on my walk. Those moments still matter, and I continue to practice them.

But now, holy disruption in my life looks like I never imagined. Now it looks like recognizing that our neighbors and country are being harmed and refusing to accept that. It looks like spending time at a protest, folding pamphlets about your rights with ICE, and calling elected officials to share my concerns.

Recently, my pastor gave a sermon about holy disruption after reading the gospel of Jesus driving the money changers from the temple. (John 2:13-25) She reminded us that calm does not always equal peace. We cannot go on with life as usual, because what is happening now is anything but usual.

It’s time to come together as a community, guided not by political parties, but by love of neighbor and country. It’s time to stay open to different perspectives and allow ourselves to change when growth calls for it. As the Builders Movement says, “changing your mind is progress in motion.”

I am so grateful for my family, friends, and neighbors who support me, even when they don’t agree with me. I am grateful for the women and teachers, past and present, who shaped who I am today.

So, I ask you this:

How will you be a holy disruptor?

If it’s helpful, here’s a link to a list of values from Brene Brown. Reflecting on our top two or three core values can help clarify how to show up and disrupt with intention and love.
https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/

Remember to rest and breathe; it’s how we will endure and honor the process of evolution we are living through.

Contact me if you’d like me to email a PDF of seven kinds of rest and how to incorporate them into your day. ✨💕✨

WTF is happening?!

Pardon my language, but today left me nearly speechless.

I had set aside this afternoon to write my next post for 2/4/26, but I feel compelled to post now. After visiting my mother-in-law and running a few errands, we came home to heartbreaking news: another person has died during an ICE encounter.

Since then, my mind has been racing and my body has been holding so much: stress edging toward overwhelm, anxiety, dread, fear about what comes next, discouragement, frustration, anger, grief, confusion about why our elected officials are letting this happen while hundreds of thousands of us are protesting, calling and writing them, and deep sadness about what this says about our country. It’s a lot. SO MANY FEELINGS!

And here’s the thing we need to remember - NONE OF THIS IS NORMAL.
We’re flooded with information all day, every day, and it can start to feel like this is just “how things are.” It’s not. And feeling shaken, upset, or unsettled by it all is a very human response.

Some people I know don’t feel particularly concerned about what’s happening right now. I’ll be honest, that worries me. History has shown us that when fear, dehumanization, and unchecked power take root, the outcomes are never good. The details may change, but the patterns repeat.

This multitude of feelings, this sense of “surely this is the tipping point,” have shown up for me almost daily since January 2025. I keep hoping that our systems will do what they’re meant to do. And yet, here we are. Still struggling.

I’ve never considered myself a “political person.” I was raised not to question much and make sure others feel comfortable (even at my expense; “offer it up”), and it’s taken decades of inner work to move beyond that.

What has always grounded me is my faith. I try, as imperfectly as we all do, to live from a place of love. And as an educator, I feel called to share what I’ve learned, not because I know more than anyone else, but because I’ve been shaped by wise, courageous women who taught me to pay attention and care deeply.

The elementary school I attended was run by the Franciscans, so the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi has always lived close to my heart. I invite you to let its words resonate within you.

Until my next piece, please take care of yourself. Notice what’s happening around you, but also give yourself permission to rest, breathe, and stay grounded.

Next time, I’ll be writing about holy disruption.

Since September, we’ve been on a journey together: creating more stillness, clarifying values, visualizing the life you want, and setting goals to help you move toward it. Along the way, I’ve shared a few tools to support you.

So, I’m curious… how is that goal coming along? If you’d like to talk it through, I’m always happy to meet in person, by phone, or on Zoom.

As we move forward, my writing will return to a month-to-month rhythm, touching on a variety of topics. Is there something you’d like me to explore or reflect on? I’d love to hear from you.

Lately, I’ve been living in a bit of paradox. The country I love feels farther each day from the values that once made it feel sacred; less rooted in love of neighbor, more driven by power and control. And yet… beneath it all, I feel an unexpected calm. Deep, deep down, there is peace. Closer to the surface? I’m a little messy.

I have pages of notes, bookmarked articles, highlighted sermons, dog-eared books - so many ideas I want to share. But right now, everything feels tender. Emotional. Volatile. I need more time to sit with it all before putting words out into the world.

So today, instead of my own words, I leave you with a prayer I’ve been returning to in this new year, written by Fr. Thomas Keating. You may recognize it. Some days I can only get through the first line before stopping in my tracks. Do I really welcome everything for my healing? Honestly… most days that feels like a lot. On those days, I choose just one line as my mantra. Other days, I can pray the whole thing through.

I hope that this prayer offers you exactly what you need today.

I’m trusting that clarity will come, and I plan to share something new with you by the first Wednesday of February. Until then, may you find moments of stillness, even in the messiness.
✨💕✨

We’ve accomplished a great deal of work over the last few months. Last time, I put out a meditation for you to practice. Now we’ve been through the holidays and have begun a new year. Let’s pause to reflect.

What did you notice after reflecting on the visualization?

Are you continuing to work on your mindset, of letting go of what no longer serves you, or finding the support you need to move past obstacles?

Today we’ll focus on turning that vision into a clear, outcome-focused goal. We’ll make sure you understand why the goal matters, that it aligns with your values, and that it’s SMART:

• Specific: clear and exact, not vague.
• Measurable: how will you know you’ve reached it? What will you feel, see, do?
• Achievable: can you control and realistically attain it?
• Relevant: does it fit your values and bigger priorities?
• Time-bound: what’s the deadline?

Example:
• Goal: “I will train six days a week, using a fitness tracker, to run a marathon in June next year.” (FYI this is a completely fictional goal; I only run if being chased!)
Specific: Train six days a week to run a marathon.
Measurable: Use a fitness tracker to log workouts and mileage.
Achievable: I have a solid baseline and completed a half-marathon last year.
Relevant: It supports my value of health and wellness.
Time-bound: Marathon in June.

Now it’s your turn. Based on what we’ve worked on so far, take a few moments to reflect. You can use the tool in the post picture. If you’d like a full-size copy, send me your email address, and I’ll get it to you.

Enjoy the process! I’ll check in again in a couple of weeks. ✨💕

We’ve spent time exploring mindset and learning how to get still, creating space for openness, peace, and fulfillment. Last time, we dug into your values and the specific mindsets or beliefs that might get in your way. Today, we’ll move into a visualization designed to help you identify what you’d like to change in your life.

Please set aside about 15 minutes in a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted for the meditation and reflection.

You may or may not have meditated before. For me, meditation is simply a time to get still and listen for God’s voice. It can feel challenging when the mind keeps wandering. The key is not to get frustrated, your brain is doing exactly what it’s designed to do. No judgment here.

I’ll guide you. We’ll start by introducing a “home base” for your attention - your breath. Stay open to whatever arises: sensations in your body, thoughts, or sounds around you. It’s all okay.

When you’re ready, view the reel I’ll post in conjunction with this. (Facebook now automatically makes any video posts into a reel 🙄.) Enjoy the experience!

Remember, your mind will do what minds do. Everything you need is right here in this moment. In this meditation, simply return to your breath, your home base, without trying to change anything. Just sit and breathe.
________________________________________
🤔Time to Reflect
Think about the life you pictured.
• How was it different from your life now?
• How was it the same?
• What did you feel, emotionally and physically?
• Did anything in your “notebook” surprise you?

You now have a rich collection of information to consider as you begin thinking about a goal for change: your mindsets (including the ones you may want to release), your values (and the obstacles you’ve identified), and the insights from your visualization.

Consider journaling your initial thoughts.

In the next couple of weeks, pay attention to how you feel and how your body responds to the situations you encounter. Reflect through the lens of everything we’ve been working on.

atI’m so grateful for the messages telling me which parts of this process have helped you; those notes mean so much to me. My goal is to support you and give practical ideas as you bring more stillness into your life.

Today we’re going to begin visualizing the life you want. We’ll start from where you are and move forward step by step.

💭Take a moment and ask yourself: looking at what we’ve covered so far, what stands out most? What was your biggest “aha” or takeaway? That hint can point you toward what you truly value…and values are what steer what we consider important. When your actions aren’t in line with your values, you’ll often feel uncomfortable, tense, or overwhelmed. So let’s explore your values and the things that stop you from living them.

💭 Questions to help you discover your values
These are prompts to reflect on; answer them in your journal, by thinking them through, or even out loud, whichever helps you sink into the thinking:
• If there were rules everyone had to follow, what would they be? (These reveal core values.)
• Think about the last week: what did you go out of your way to do, and what did you go out of your way not to do?
Example: if you picked up litter or helped someone in need, community, service, or kindness might matter to you.
• When you felt angry, upset, or irritated, what value was being ignored?
• When you were really happy, which values were being honored?
• What do you stand for? What’s special about that?
• What would you fight for, even if it risked your reputation? What makes that worth risking?
• What does a “full and rich life” mean to you? What’s special about that?
• If you could only take three things into a difficult or dangerous situation, what would they be and why those three?
• What’s your favorite animal and why? What does that say about you?
• What’s your favorite activity and why?
• Who do you admire, and what exactly do you admire about them?

💭Now — let’s look at what might get in your way
Honest reflection about obstacles is freeing. Try these prompts:
• Where might your thoughts be blocking you?
• Where do you have unrealistic expectations of yourself? (Make a list.)
• Where are you too hard on yourself? (Make a list.)
• What do you feel you must always do? (List them.)
• Finish these sentences in a list:
“I should always _______.” (Remember: shift from “should” to “could.” 😉)
“I should never _______.”
• Where in your body do you feel stuck or held back? What might that sensation be trying to protect you from?
• What habits, beliefs, or fears hold you back?
• How do you stand in your own way?
• What do you avoid, and how does that avoidance affect your life?
• What do you avoid feeling, and how does that impact you?
• What would be the worst insult someone could throw at you or what would deeply hurt you?
• What might embarrass you to look at, even if it’s stopping you from moving forward?
• What private rules about how you “should” behave are getting in the way?
• What do you believe prevents you from being fully yourself?
⏲Give yourself time to sit with these answers. Breathe, be kind to whatever comes up, and let the stillness do its work.

🤔 A final step
When you’ve reflected, pick the three values that matter most to you. If you’re stuck, take a look at https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/ for inspiration.

💕Enjoy reflecting on this in the stillness you are creating.

Once again, we find ourselves at the Christian season of Advent; the beginning of a new liturgical year. Advent is the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event; in this case, Jesus and his second coming.

Advent is all about waiting with anticipation and preparation.

I don’t know about you, but I am tired. I don’t think I have it in me to “wait for the LORD.” I feel like the past year has been filled with too much uncertainty and waiting.

Waiting for cures for loved ones. Watching them try to accept horrible diagnoses and muster up the courage to do what is necessary to get healthy again leaves me feeling heavy and helpless.

Waiting for healing and a fair shake for friends dealing with unfaithful spouses, adult children struggling with infertility, and adult children who have gone astray. There is simply no equity in the situations my friends are dealing with, no words I can say, no magic wand I can wave to make it better.

Waiting for loved ones’ new career opportunities to arrive. Watching unscrupulous businesspeople wreak havoc on someone’s career is maddening. And the 6+ months-long process of applying and interviewing for a great position and then having the opportunity put on hold for a few months is just not fair.

Waiting for broken systems change to support the unhoused, mentally ill, and incarcerated humanely and in a way that offers dignified growth and development opportunities.
We live in the USA. Why do I find myself giving care packages to so many unhoused people I meet on walks? Why are the women I visit in jail subjected to such inhumane conditions (no windows, no outside time, horrible mattresses) and a system that seems more out to get them than there to help them?

Waiting for our government representatives to stand up to fascism. Two hundred thirteen executive orders this year alone; the One Big Ugly Bill that is wreaking havoc on our environment, healthcare, and is redistributing wealth from the poorest to the richest, among many other things. ICE is terrorizing neighborhoods and disappearing US citizens. I personally know someone who was detained for over two weeks after reporting for a scheduled courthouse appointment. I could go on and on, but back to the point of this commentary.

Waiting is difficult. Uncomfortable. Scary. Maddening.

And beautiful. Hear me out.

During Advent, I often ponder how Mary must have felt while waiting to give birth to Jesus. There was a lot of bad stuff going on in her world, too. The Roman Empire ruled with cruelty and injustice. She was a virgin, an u***d teenager betrothed to an older man, who was visited by an angel saying she would give birth to God’s only Son.

Can you imagine the thoughts racing through her mind? “Am I hallucinating? My parents are going to kill me! What will Joseph think? I’ll surely be stoned for this. This will certainly keep all the gossipers busy!”

But she said “yes” to God’s angel. She trusted God’s plan. (This is an entirely separate article – haha!)

And so she waited. But she didn’t sit idle for 9 months. She waited with anticipation and preparation. She went to visit her much older cousin, Elizabeth, who was also pregnant, and spent three months with her. Mary actively reached out and cared for her cousin.

This tells me a few things. Mary realized that it was okay to feel uncomfortable. And she was also grateful; (read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55; it draws heavily from the Old Testament because she was a good Jewish girl). Mary recognized the importance of accompanying her cousin through her pregnancy journey and the reciprocity of having Elizabeth’s support as well.

There’s some beauty in there, right?

In the moment when Mary and Elizabeth first greet each other, there is joy. Despite all the ramifications of their situations, they were able to lift their hearts to God in joy.

What can we learn from Mary?

In the waiting, we can bring beauty and our service to others who are struggling, whether with health, job, or relationship issues; anything. A text, snail mail, or actual phone call to let them know we’re thinking of them can really boost a mood. Are you a crafter? Perhaps you can make a thoughtful gift? An impromptu walk or coffee date is always appreciated. Share a meal. It doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming, just let them know you care.

We can use the wait to do some self-reflection and grow emotionally and spiritually. I recently bought two books to nurture myself: “A Beautiful Year” by Diana Butler Bass is 52 meditations of faith, wisdom, and perseverance, and is organized according to the church year, and “In the Low: honest prayers for dark seasons” by Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson has already helped me look at some situations through a different lens.

We can use times of waiting to prepare for whatever comes next by resting, breathing, and practicing gratitude. Lately, I’ve been working on giving myself more transition time throughout the day, pausing between tasks instead of constantly moving from one thing to the next. It helps me reflect on what just happened, take a breath, and reset.

This is especially hard for me during the holidays. I want to bake the next batch of cookies, get the house ready for special guests, and work on dot-painted gifts. But I’m learning that stillness is the best antidote to the busyness that comes with the waiting season. It keeps me from rushing through the moments that matter.
I think that if we can choose these dynamic behaviors in the waiting season, well, that’s pretty beautiful.

So there can be beauty in waiting!

What do you think?

As we continue to shift our mindsets and make time for stillness, you may feel the need to make a change. Eventually, you may want to create an actual goal. But for now, let’s focus on letting go.

The change of seasons is a gentle reminder that nothing lasts forever. Everything from the trees outside our window to the moments that shape our lives has its time. As nature moves from the long, warm days of summer into the crisp air of fall, we, too, are invited to reflect on what needs to change within us.

Let’s look at what different wisdom traditions teach about change and letting go:

• Judeo-Christian:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:18–19
This passage reminds us that letting go makes space for something new to grow.

• Buddhist and Eastern philosophies:
These teachings suggest that attachment keeps us stuck. When we cling to what has passed, we carry unnecessary weight and slow our growth.

• Chinese Medicine perspective:
Neil Gumenick beautifully writes, “Trees in autumn don’t stubbornly hold onto their leaves because they might need them next year.” He reminds us that just as trees let go with grace, we too can release what no longer serves us, whether it’s old emotions, habits, or ways of thinking.

Reflecting on What You’re Holding Onto

Sometimes we hold on too long to situations, belongings, or even relationships, while other times, we rush into change without appreciating what’s working well.

💭Take a moment to reflect:
What comes to mind for you? Are there mindsets or patterns of thought that might be holding you back?

Like the trees that shed their leaves, letting go helps us conserve our energy and prepare for what’s ahead. When trees release their leaves, they protect themselves by conserving moisture, reducing strain, and allowing the wind to flow through freely. We can learn from that wisdom.

If you’re unsure where to start, even small acts of letting go, like packing away summer clothes and bringing out your cozy sweaters, can spark confidence to make bigger changes in other areas of your life.

How Do You Know It’s Time to Let Go?

1. It makes you upset.
If a situation, habit, or relationship consistently leaves you feeling anxious or drained, it may be time to release it. Letting go of what causes distress creates room to breathe, relax, and welcome new possibilities.

2. It’s destructive.
Patterns like procrastination, perfectionism, or self-sabotage can quietly erode your happiness and success. Identifying and letting go of these destructive habits can bring clarity and peace.

3. It’s not productive.
Ask yourself if what you’re doing adds value or joy to your life. Holding onto grudges, being overly self-critical, or losing hours to mindless scrolling keeps you stuck. Instead, choose actions that make you feel purposeful, happy, and alive.

Trusting the Process

Letting go is rarely easy. It can bring grief, even when you know it’s the right choice. Trust yourself. Give yourself time and surround yourself with support as you navigate your own “season of release.”

A tree doesn’t worry when it loses a leaf. It trusts that new growth will come in time. Even bare and exposed through the winter, it stands strong, knowing spring will return. We can do the same.

Why hold on so tightly to what’s ending? Often, it’s fear that nothing new will replace what’s gone. But life teaches us repeatedly: every ending creates space for something beautiful to begin. Our present reality, new opportunities, new relationships, and new ideas, exist only because we once dared to let go.

A Thought to Carry Forward

💭 How does this resonate with you?

💫Until next time, keep creating moments of stillness each day. Even a few extra minutes of quiet can help you hear the gentle wisdom within, God, reminding you that change is natural, and letting go is not loss but transformation. 🍂